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U.S., Jamaican Forces Join in Maritime Security Seminar

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090831-22
Release Date: 8/31/2009 4:49:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs Office

KINGSTON, Jamaica (NNS) -- More than 140 participants from the Jamaican and U.S. naval forces participated in a maritime security seminar at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, Aug. 28.

Rear Adm. Vic Guillory, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, and Rear Adm. Peter Brady, director general, Maritime Authority of Jamaica, co-hosted the seminar.

Participants included representatives from the Jamaica Defense Force, Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Constabulary Force, other Government of Jamaica bodies, the International Maritime Organization, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Jamaican-based and regional maritime industries.

The intention of the seminar was to promote better maritime security awareness among participants, exchange perspectives on regional challenges and threats, and foster greater public-private cooperation between the shipping industry and regional maritime forces. The seminar agenda included senior leaders and subject matter experts from the participating organizations giving focused presentations on subjects such as illicit maritime trafficking, global/regional piracy, maritime migration, and maritime information sharing initiatives.

The seminar is an initiative launched by the recently established U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Unit-Latin America (MARLU-LATAM), whose mission focuses on facilitating the exchange of information and promoting cooperation between the U. S. Navy, partner nation maritime forces, and the commercial maritime community throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific. MARLU-LATAM operates as a U.S. Navy conduit for information focused on the safety and security of maritime commerce and is committed to assisting the shipping industry.

"MARLU-LATAM is an integral part of the U.S. Navy's commitment to forging stronger partnerships with the shipping industry to address regional challenges and opportunities in the Caribbean and Latin American maritime region," said Guillory.