DATE: April 6, 2009 1:44:12 PM EDT

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Feature Story Release

Date:
April 6, 2009

Contact:
Michael Hulme
(904) 564-7624
Maritime Law Enforcement and the Coast Guard
Story and photos by Petty Officer 3rd class Michael Hulme

The Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement training team was in Mayport, Fla., March 9 thru March 13, to conduct training for junior members assigned to Coast Guard Station Mayport, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Fla. and the Coast Guard Cutter Shrike.

The MLE training team is homeported in Portsmouth Va., and consists of four MLE training teams. The teams provide MLE refresher training to 100 Coast Guard stations and cutters each year in the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth,

Two crew members from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., practice self defense techniques, March 13, 2009, that will assist  them in gaining compliance of agressive subjects in the maritime enviorment . U.S. Coast Guard photo/PA3 Michael Hulme

and Ninth Districts that conduct law enforcement missions.

The MLE training team provides realistic, performance-based hands on training. Boarding officers and boarding team members have the opportunity to practice and sharpen their law enforcement skills through role-playing and facilitation, and this helps capture the best methods to be shared Coast Guard wide. For example, Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels are used to conduct mock boarding scenarios.

"The training provides an opportunity to unplug and pull away from the mission and get another set of eyes to help focus on what they need to improve on," said Lt. Adolfo Viezca, boat operations supervisor at Sector Jacksonville. "Another key element to the training is the solidarity and the vital trust factor the members build on. We know regardless of rank each member has been trained well."

The mock boarding scenarios are very realistic, utilizing counterfeit drugs, weapons, and other training aids that will resemble the real life maritime environment for the trainees out in the field. After each scenario, students are provided with

Coast Guard members from Station Mayport, the Coast Guard Cutter Shrike and Sector Jacksonville take part in the a Maritime Law Enforcement training team demonstration that instructs Coast Guard boarding team members  in self defense, March 13, 2009. Coast Guard photo/PA3 Michael Hulme
feedback and constructive criticism to enhance their performance and situational awareness. The MLE trainers also simulate a boating under the influence wet lab where boarding offers practice and administer field sobriety and chemical tests to real life intoxicated role players. The BUI wet lab scenarios are realistic and provide boarding officers the experience they need to build self-confidence in prosecuting real BUI cases.

"The training provided by the MLE training team is extremely vital for all Coast Guard members who receive it," said Ens. Brian Beach, assigned to the Sector Jacksonville vessel boarding safety team. "What makes the training so important is that regardless of the level of experience any individual may have, you always take away useful information and instruction to ensure that all Coast Guard boarding teams are as prepared as they can be." 

To view a multimedia presentation click here.

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