US maritime cooperation in Africa

According to DefenceWeb, HSV-2 Swift, a non-commissioned, high-speed hybrid catamaran chartered to the United States Navy Military Sealift Command, is visiting a number of South African ports as part of her Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission. It is visiting Cape Town's Simon's Town, East London and Durban before going to Mozambique and thereafter continuing up the east African coast.

The APS is the US Naval Forces Africa's (NAVAF) flagship maritime security cooperation program, aiming to build maritime safety and security by increasing awareness, response capabilities and infrastructure. Through APS, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and NAVAF conduct engagement activities with international partners and governmental/non-governmental organisations.

The Australian built Swift is privately owned and operated by Sealift Inc and chartered to the United States Navy Military Sealift Command for her humanitarian partnership missions. Its operating crew is made up of civilian, US Naval and Marine members. During its APS engagement, the Swift transports training teams to conduct maritime training with regional services - both civil and maritime.

Read the full article on www.defenceweb.co.za.