Indonesia, Japan Coast Guards Hold Joint Exercise in Batam

TheIndonesia.id - The Indonesian and Japanese coast guards took part in a joint exercise in Batam with focus on capacity building for respective personnel.

The passing exercise, or passex, was held in Nongsa waters, Bintan island, Batam on Thursday, February 3, and was aimed to enhance the skills of Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and Japan Coast Guard personnel in manning ships to carry out their duties.

It involved KN Pulau Dana-323 and Echigo PLH 08 vessels, owned by Bakamla and Japan Coast Guard, respectively.

According to official statement released by Bakamla, the exercise was led by commander of the KN Pulau Dana-323 Lieutenant Col. Hananto Widhi.

The joint passing exercise put focus on communication check or radio check and combined exercise on stopping pirate ships.

Colonel Dudik Kuswoyo from Bakamla added that besides improving the skills and knowledge of personnel, the objective of the joint exercise was also to strengthen bilateral relations between the two coast guards.

Bakamla chief Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia was also present in the occasion.