Indo-Pacific Endeavour has returned to the Maldives for the second time this year, during the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Australia and its Indian Ocean neighbour.
The visit included a variety of engagement activities, including a search-and-rescue workshop led by the Australian Maritime Security Safety Authority, faith-based engagement by Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Chaplain Imam Majidih Essa and an Indigenous music collaboration.
Following a number of leadership engagements with the Maldives ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence Force (MNDF), Commander Indo-Pacific Endeavour Commodore Michael Harris participated in a panel discussion on maritime security at the Maldives ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ University.
An evening reception, hosted by the Australian High Commission in the Republic of Maldives, began with a rendition of a verse from the Quran by Chaplain Essa.
Later, guests enjoyed a musical collaboration between Royal Australian Air Force Indigenous Liaison Officer Flight Lieutenant James Evans playing a didgeridoo, and members of the MNDF band playing the traditional Bodu Beru drum and sangu conch shell.
The RAN’s Sea Training Group joined the visit to better understand the ship operations of the MNDF Coast Guard and determine its future training needs.
Lieutenant Donald Parker and Petty Officer Nathan Langley collaborated with the crew of CGS Shaheed Ali on work-up processes designed to prepare a crew to operate a vessel at a high level of effectiveness.
Lieutenant Parker and Petty Officer Langley provided presentations on Sea Training Group processes and had useful discussions on MNDF needs.
‘These engagements directly contribute to enhancing the maritime safety and incident-response sectors of the Maldives.’
During the visit, the MNDF Coast Guard crew conducted an on board demonstration of a firefighting serial for appraisal by the two RAN sea trainers.
“It was impressive to see the professionalism of the crew of Shaheed Ali, and the willingness of their command to engage in open dialogue,” Lieutenant Parker said.
“We aim to continue our discussions to improve engagement between the RAN and MNDF Coast Guard.”
Royal Australian Air Force 11 Squadron deployed a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Malé to conduct static displays for the Maldives State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maldives ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Security Adviser, Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives and the commandants of the MNDF Air Corps and Coast Guard.
The crew was also involved in multiple cultural engagements with the MNDF.
Representatives from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Abdul Hannan and Andy Smith, spent five days working with local stakeholders and government officials to undertake a needs analysis of the country’s maritime safety and maritime incident response capabilities.
“We met with representatives of the Maldives Coast Guard, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disaster Management Authority, Maldives Airports Company ARCC, Maldives Ports Limited and Environmental Protection Authority,” Mr Smith said.
“These engagements directly contribute to enhancing the maritime safety and incident-response sectors of the Maldives.”
‘It’s the people-to-people links that make Indo-Pacific Endeavour special.’
It was Chaplain Essa’s second visit to the country, and the MNDF were keen to hear about his experiences working as a chaplain in the ADF.
“The MNDF doesn’t have chaplains as we do in the ADF, so for them it’s interesting to learn what benefits chaplaincy brings,” Chaplain Essa said.
In addition to giving an interview to local morning television and delivering a seminar to the MNDF, Chaplain Essa met with senior officials, including the Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
The minister invited Chaplain Essa to deliver the Friday sermon and lead the prayers at the Masjid Rasheed mosque, which was broadcast live to the Malé community.
It was a special honour for Chaplain Essa as it was the first time the sermon was delivered by an Australian.
“Making a second visit has been important in order to continue dialogue and build a trusting relationship between our defence forces,” Chaplain Essa said.
“It’s the people-to-people links that make Indo-Pacific Endeavour special.”
