US Naval Team presents report to Ghana Navy

Tema Manhean, Jan. 23, GNA - A Hydrographic maritime survey report on the Tema territorial waters which would guide marines in their navigation, was presented to the Ghana Navy at the Eastern Naval Command at Tema on Tuesday.

The final field chart and report, conducted by a United States Naval Team was presented by Rear Admiral Phil Greene, Director of Strategy and Policy for Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa and received by Commodore Matthew Quashie, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command.

Rear Admiral Greene said the report which took six weeks to complete was part of a larger US Naval Forces Europe-Africa effort to improve maritime security and safety along the Gulf of Guinea. The charts would be provided to local hydrographers as a means of increasing maritime domain awareness in the region and strengthening partnership.

He said the information in the report had an immediate impact on maritime safety and served as another example of how the two institutions were working together.

Rear Admiral Greene pointed out that collaboration was their commitment to confront important regional maritime safety and security challenges.

He said the team also surveyed the Tema harbour and its approaches to update navigation charts which would be beneficial to the country and help reduce the risk of grounding, capsizing and other accidents. Rear Admiral Greene said a second fleet survey team continued to survey the ports of Sekondi and Takoradi.

Leader of the Research Team, Brian Connon said they detected some wrecks in the sea which posed hazards to navigation. Commodore Quashie commended the team for a good job done and described the report as 93High Tech" that would promote efficiency in the maritime industry.

He said it would be used extensively to achieve the desired results and be beneficial to the nation.

Commodore Quashie briefed the team on the task of the Command and said as part of their activities they undertake patrols to check anti piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and any criminal activities like importation of drugs in the Ghanaian territorial waters as well as offering assistance in time of disaster. 23 Jan. 07