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Maritime Operations Center: A Vital Communications Link For Cutlass Express 2013

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS131117-05
Release Date: 11/17/2013 2:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Luis R. Chavez Jr, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

VICTORIA, Seychelles (NNS) -- The Seychelles Maritime Operations Center (MOC) is conducting scenarios as part of the underway phase of exercise Cutlass Express 2013, Nov. 14-16.

Effective communication is key to maritime safety and security, and it is a vital responsibility of the MOC.
The MOC provides support in the execution of the nation's maritime exercises to ensure safety and security by providing and sharing information through interoperability between MOCs, programs such as The Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS), Computer Aided Maritime Threat Evaluation System (CAMTES), SEAVISION, and other communication systems.

'The MOC is working at the operational level, and it coordinates with the tactical level in order to reach mission success,' said Gary R. Shaffer, U.S. Sixth Fleet science advisor supporting Cutlass Express 2013. 'With the flow of information gathered from the systems in the MOC, we can develop a better awareness of maritime domain.'

During exercise Cutlass Express 2013, boarding team members from East African nations will undergo anti-piracy, anti-trafficking and illegal fishing scenarios. The MOC will provide and relay information on the location of the target vessel to the boarding team members using communication and information systems.

'During the scenarios we are conducting today, we will provide information about the suspicious vessel to the Topaz, so that the boarding teams may locate and board the correct vessel,' said Lance Cpl. Hilary M. Leon, Seychelles Coast Guard radio operator.

MSSIS, CAMTES and SEAVISION are three of the main information resources used by MOCs to develop Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in different areas of interest. The information gathered from these programs includes tracking of a suspicious vessel, history of the vessel and background information such as its owners, flags and ports calls.

Exercise Cutlass Express 2013 is a multi-national maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation, tactical expertise and information sharing among East African maritime forces in order to increase maritime safety and security in the region.