HSV and turtles august 2009

        On the morning of Tuesday, August 18^th, the United States Navy came to visit Port-Gentil.  They arrived on a futuristic looking ship, called a High Speed Vessel (HSV).  The ship, named the Swift, arrived as the latest in a series of visits that the United States military has made to Africa.  Before arriving in Gabon, the Swift made stops in Cameroon and Nigeria.
        The visit was part of an ongoing international effort to support African coastal nations with maritime safety and security.  This initiative is known as APS—Africa Partnership Stations.  But in addition to providing training in the areas one might expect, such as combating illegal fishing, piracy, and other sea-related challenges, APS also works closely with non-governmental organizations to improve conditions, capabilities, and knowledge.
        Although the Swift was in Gabon for less than three days, they were able to make an important contribution to the people and marine resources in Gabon.
The ship’s cargo included a donation of Turtle Excluder Devices, commonly known by the acronym “TED”, from the National Oceanographic and Air Administration.  These twenty devices, which look a bit like small soccer goals, are made out of metal piping and netting.  They are attached to fishing nets to prevent the endangered sea turtles from getting trapped during use.  Humans, unfortunately, are the largest threat to sea turtles.  The turtles can get caught in nets and drown, and also can be injured by hooks.  The blood then makes them a target for predators. 
        NOAA gave these TEDs to the Ministry of Fisheries (insert official name) to facilitate the protection of Gabon’s sea turtles.  Last year, a team from the organization visited Port-Gentil and conducted tests with the TEDs on shrimp boats to make sure that the fisherman’s overall catches were not affected by the use of the TEDs.  The trial was a success and it is hoped that this information will encourage more fisherman to use them.  Currently the US Embassy in Libreville is working to raise awareness of the plight of Gabon’s endangered sea turtles, and NOAA plans to provide more training to officials and fishermen in the future.
        The sailors also took a small boat upstream to the village of Ngola, where they delivered a pallet of medical and hygiene supplies to the local health center.  This was part of Project Handclasp, a partnership that the United States Navy has with private corporations and non-government organizations to provide needed humanitarian, educational, and goodwill materials all over the world. 
        Another pallet of hygiene and medical supplies was given to the Gabonese Navy’s medical clinic, to supplement their stores.  As the United States and Gabon navies continue to work together, the health of local sailors is important.
        All this was accomplished in less than three days, and as the HSV Swift departed Port-Gentil on the 19^th, hopefully they left behind just as much goodwill as supplies.  The ship visit also coincided with the US Embassy’s Baraka Mission exhibit at the city hall, which illustrates the beginning of American-Gabonese cooperation.  It is a partnership with strong roots that continues to flourish.