Ship-in-a-Box maritime training simulator declared open at Advanced Training Centre Kirinda

Marking a major advancement in bolstering the Sri Lanka Coast Guard's training capabilities, H.E. Julie Chung, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, officially inaugurated a Ship-in-a-Box maritime training simulator at the Advanced Training Centre Kirinda of Sri Lanka Coast Guard today (15th August 2024). The ceremony, which signified the handover of the facility to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, was attended by Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The Ship-in-a-Box project, born from the partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka, underscores their shared commitment to enhancing maritime safety and addressing common maritime challenges. This initiative will significantly strengthen the operational readiness of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

This maritime training simulator features advanced capabilities for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercises, crucial for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, and maritime safety operations, conducted by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The event was also attended by a group of officials from the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and senior officers from the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.