Training With The Tanzanian Navy

Italian frigate ITS Libeccio, which is currently participating in the EU Naval Force, has completed a fruitful port visit to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania.

EU Naval Force Warship ITS Libeccio Conducts Training With The Tanzanian Navy And Visits A Local Orphanage During Port Visit To Dar Es Salaam

Italian frigate ITS Libeccio, which is currently participating in the EU Naval Force, countering piracy off the coast of Somalia, has completed a fruitful port visit to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania.

As well as conducting training with the Tanzanian Navy, the ship’s company also took time to lift the spirits of local children during a visit to a local orphanage, located in one of the poorest areas of the city.

The training with the Navy took place on Tuesday 24 December, with 18 Tanzanian officers and petty officers being given briefings and practical training on the protection measures used by merchant vessels to resist a pirate attack.

For the visit to the orphanage, the Italian sailors took with them boxes of clothes, toys and food that had been collected in Italy before the ship departed for Operation Atalanta.

Whilst at the orphanage, the sailors carried out essential maintenance work on the building and presented a donation. The sailors also shared lunch with the children.

Speaking during the visit, one of the resident nuns, Sister Agnese, told the Italian crew “The construction work began here in 2008, but it was only in 2010 when we were able to host the first 50 children and we now have 220 kids. Whilst we have faced many challenges, due to the endless work of the nuns and now this welcome contribution of the Italian sailors, the school should shortly be able to open, with the first primary school classes on the first floor.

Afterwards, some of the children together with the nuns, visited ITS Libeccio and sang songs during a Holy Mass that was celebrated on the flight deck. The celebration was also attended by the Italian Ambassador in Tanzania, H.E. Luigi Scotto, the Ambassador of the European Union H.E. Filiberto Ceriani Segrebondi and members of the Italian community in Dar Es Salaam.

Speaking about the visit to the school, the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Stefano Calvetti stated “It was such an unexpectedly joyous experience. We went to the orphanage to give, but in the end we received a much greater gift: a very special Christmas.”

Source: EU Naval Force.