Photo By Chief Petty Officer Justin Stumberg | U.S. Navy Seabee divers assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1 work together...... read more read more
U.S. Navy Seabee divers assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) One, are conducting a maritime infrastructure assessment and bilateral diving exchange alongside Royal Moroccan Navy (RMN) divers and hydrographers at the Port of Casablanca, Morocco.
This engagement marks another step in strengthening interoperability and deepening maritime ties between the U.S. Navy and Morocco, a long-standing regional security partner.
“The two-week operation will evaluate select port infrastructure to help determine feasibility for future U.S. Navy ship visits, and includes an in-depth hydrographic survey supported by the Naval Oceanographic Office,” said Lt. Ehrick Costello, UCT 1 officer in charge.
The operation includes use of advanced survey systems such as the NORBIT multi-beam sonar, Defender remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and the Artemis Pro diver navigation suite. In addition to assessments, the team is engaging in subject matter exchanges on diving policy and bathymetric surveying technical support with their RMN counterparts.
The Port of Casablanca has undergone significant modernization efforts in recent years, including new dredging operations and terminal improvements. The assessment conducted by the UCT Divers and hydrographers will help validate berthing options for deep-draft U.S. vessels while reinforcing Morocco’s role as a key maritime partner on the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
This engagement supports U.S. Naval Forces Africa’s maritime strategy and ongoing cooperation efforts with North African nations in support of regional stability, infrastructure security, and partner capacity-building.
UCT 1, CDD/A, currently deployed under 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, is a specially trained and equipped unit, within Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces (NECF), that specializes in diving, light salvage, underwater construction, and military engineering operations in austere environments.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national security interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2025 03:18 |
| Story ID: | 551287 |
| Location: | MA |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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