Royal Bahamas Defence Force improves maritime domain awareness

Photo By Dustin Q. Diaz | 150923-N-IL267-016 CORAL HARBOUR, Bahamas (Sept. 23, 2015). Jim Scruggs, Maritime Domain Awareness Manager at Commander, Naval Forces, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), and Jeff Sarmonis, a civilian maritime domain awareness specialist assigned to NORTHCOM, look on as Royal Bahamas Defence Force Able Seaman Jerome Bethel uses maritime domain awareness software. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dustin Q. Diaz/Released)  

CORAL HARBOUR, BAHAMAS

09.24.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Q. Diaz 

Expeditionary Combat Camera

CORAL HARBOUR, Bahamas -- The government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas enhanced its Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) when the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) upgraded its current command center here during a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Northern Command (NAVNORTH) Sept. 22-24.

The improved connectivity, software enhancements, and information sharing procedures now available in the RBDF command center are a result of ongoing SMEE events with the U.S. government and the government of the Bahamas primarily involving the RBDF, NAVNORTH, and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to NAVNORTH MDA Manager Jim Scruggs.

“The United States and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are both maritime nations,” Scruggs said. “As such we have a mutual interest in protecting our waters against the maritime threats represented by illicit trafficking, pollution, fisheries violations, and other threats to our national safety, security, or economies.”

Scruggs said the proximity of the Bahamas to the U.S. means the RBDF’s MDA is of strategic importance to the U.S. as well.

“We are always interested in sharing information with our maritime partners,” Scruggs said. “Working together to maintain a safe environment for the conduct of maritime trade is of strategic importance to both nations, especially in an environment that is routinely exploited by our adversaries.”

The tools include free programs like Internet Explorer and Google Earth that can interface with systems like SeaVision, Automatic Identification System (AIS), and the Maritime Safety and Security Information System. Along with new communication and surveillance equipment, these tools now enable the RBDF to track and report on their own vessels and AIS-emitting vessels operating in Bahamian territorial waters and those approaching from around the world, according to Jeff Sarmonis, a civilian MDA specialist assigned to NAVNORTH who conducted the systems training.

Sarmonis said the RBDF members were a quick study and eager to learn. By the end of their first practical exercise with the new software, some members of the RBDF team were already training other team members on the tools.

“The training was awesome; the instructors explained things really well,” said RBDF Able Woman Marine Lashonda Clarke, who works in aviation. “Being able to plot points and communicate with our aircraft will be very useful to me in my job, especially since I’m one of the people doing the patrolling. I’m adamant about preventing pollution, poaching and other problems in our waters. That’s especially important to me and this is going to make addressing that much easier.”

Scruggs said NAVNORTH will continue to work with the RBDF and The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to enhance their operational MDA capabilities and capacities, with the next visit aimed at reinforcing the training conducted during this SMEE.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2015
• Date Posted: 09.24.2015 15:21
• Story ID: 177110
• Location: CORAL HARBOUR, BS