In a significant regional security cooperation initiative, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has concluded an extensive two-week training program for 20 members of the Haitian National Police Coast Guard. The capacity-building exercise, which concluded recently, represents a strategic partnership between the Caribbean nations aimed at enhancing maritime security capabilities.
The comprehensive curriculum, developed and delivered by the RBDF’s Port Patrol Unit Engineering Section, encompassed both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for modern coast guard operations. Participants received intensive instruction in fundamental maritime disciplines including advanced navigation techniques, precision vessel handling, and complex docking maneuvers under various conditions.
Beyond basic seamanship, the program incorporated critical safety and emergency response training covering navigational aids deployment, distress flare utilization protocols, and sophisticated search and rescue methodologies. A substantial portion of the curriculum focused on advanced mechanical systems, with Haitian personnel receiving hands-on training in diagnostic procedures for fuel systems, electrical circuits, and outboard motor ignition mechanisms.
The technological component included instruction on digital diagnostic tools and innovative remote assistance practices, enabling future collaboration between Bahamian and Haitian mechanics through real-time communication platforms. RBDF engineers additionally provided targeted guidance on resolving persistent technical issues affecting the Haitian Coast Guard’s operational fleet.
This training initiative occurs against the backdrop of Haiti’s ongoing security challenges and represents international efforts to strengthen the nation’s maritime law enforcement capabilities. The Haitian Coast Guard, as an integral division of the Haitian National Police, maintains responsibility for maritime security, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations across Haiti’s territorial waters.