Strengthening Global Maritime Security through Law and Cooperation

Photo By Jasmine Garcia | Participants of the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Legal Aspects of Maritime Security Operations course stand alongside a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) small boat during a site visit to USCG Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven, Conn., June 16, 2026. The visit allowed 30 international students to engage directly with U.S. Coast Guard personnel and observe practical maritime law enforcement platforms. (Courtesy Photo)  

UNITED STATES

07.15.2026

Story by Jensen Stidham  

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

The Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU’s) Legal Aspects of Maritime Security Operations (LAMSO) course, held in Newport, Rhode Island, successfully concluded its 2026 iteration.

This intensive, four-week resident international training, education and advising program brought together 30 military officers and defense civilians representing 24 partner countries. As part of offerings from DSCU’s International Legal Studies department, the course builds combined readiness and collaborative solutions for the global maritime domain.

Building Combined Readiness To counter increasingly complex maritime threats, participants engaged in a rigorous curriculum combining classroom lectures, hands-on case studies, and scenario-based exercises. The cohort learned from DSCU expert legal faculty and more than 35 specialty presenters representing the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, academic institutions, and broader U.S. Government entities. Key training focus areas included:

• International Law:Deep dives into the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Law of Naval Warfare.
• Emerging Technology:Examining the legal implications of unmanned maritime systems.
• Global Threats:Countering regional challenges such as the China Maritime Militia, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime narcotics smuggling, and piracy.

Beyond the Classroom: Operational Field Studies To bridge theory with real-world application, the course featured vital operational field studies, including:

• Massachusetts:Analyzing commercial fishing enforcement and trawler operations at the USCG Northeast Regional Fisheries Training Center (NRFTC) in Buzzards Bay.
• Connecticut:Observing maritime law enforcement platforms firsthand at USCG Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven.
• New York:Conducting professional development studies in New York City, including a historic visit to the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid.

Congratulations to the 30 graduates who are now better equipped to collaboratively protect maritime sovereignty and ensure open, safe, and secure seas for everyone.

• Date Taken: 07.15.2026
• Date Posted: 07.21.2026 15:35
• Story ID: 570012
• Location: US