MUARA, Tuesday, 13 March 2018 - The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Marine Police, Royal Brunei Police Forces (MARPOL, RBPF) conducted the Exercise Planning Conference (EPC) for the Exercise SEMBILANG Serial 13/2018 from Tuesday, 13th March 2018 until Wednesday, 14th March 2018. This meeting marks the 13th of its series which will last for four days, starting Monday, 30th April 2018 to Thursday, 3rd May 2018. The EPC was held between the Exercise Coordinator, Lt Nazurah binti Hj Mahaleh, and the Deputy Commanding Officer of MARPOL, RBPF DSP Pg Muhaimin bin Pg Hj Mustapha and delegation.
The objective of the exercise is to improve the effectiveness, state of readiness and interoperability between the two forces in handling threats in the maritime domain according to PROSEDUR TETAP (PROTAP) SEMBILANG through intelligence gathering and maritime patrols. This year’s concept will focus on tackling cross border contraband smuggling through various symposiums and a sea phase exercise to enhance the conduct of search and surveillance prior to boarding, search and seizure of suspect.
The exercise will be hosted by the Royal Brunei Navy. Assets involved from RBN will be KDB AFIAT and the Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG). From MARPOL will be RHIB, Catamaran and the Special Operations Unit.
The exercise will be divided into three phases; Harbour Phase, Sea Phase and Closing Phase. In the Harbour Phase, a number of symposiums will be conducted by MARPOL, AGC and NAVSAG in preparation for boarding exercises onto suspect vessels carrying contraband goods. Followed by the implementation of surveillance, search and boarding during the Sea Phase and an official closure to the Exercise in the Closing Phase.
