24 July 2024, Bosaso – EUCAP Somalia’s Puntland Field Office has launched a new initiative aimed at significantly improving the technical capabilities of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF). This initiative addresses critical maintenance and repair requirements for the PMPF’s motorboat fleet, which are vital to maritime security and operations.
Given the important role these boats play in the effectiveness of the PMPF, EUCAP has planned to improve their operational readiness through a dedicated mechanical training programme. This programme emphasises both practical and theoretical aspects of motorboat maintenance and repair and ensures that PMPF mechanics are well trained for future fleet maintenance. The training programme involves four PMPF members who already have a basic knowledge and understanding of motorboats and their maintenance. These participants were selected based on their previous experience with engines. The trainer for the programme is a local mechanic with extensive expertise in engine maintenance and repair.
Goals of the training program
The objective of the training is to provide four PMPF mechanics with hands-on experience and teach them basic skills for the maintenance and repair of motorboats. The goal is to improve their competency in diagnosing and troubleshooting engine problems, thereby strengthening their ability to efficiently manage the PMPF’s maritime resources. In addition, the program aims to increase the number of operational boats available to the PMPF by ensuring effective maintenance and repair practices. Initial efforts focused on restoring the engines of the first two boats to operational condition, with plans to acquire all necessary spare parts.
Training activities
The training program for the PMPF mechanics began by providing a theoretical basis for understanding the four-stroke engines used in their boats. The trainees attended a detailed lecture on the operating principles of these engines, covering the cycle phases of intake, compression, power and exhaust. They learned about the main engine components, such as the piston, cylinder, crankshaft, camshaft and valves.
After the theory lesson, the practical inspection of engine parts was then carried out, focusing on elements such as filters, oil and fuel levels. This practical experience was crucial in reinforcing theoretical knowledge and developing a practical understanding of routine maintenance tasks. The on-site mechanic stressed the importance of special tools required for effective engine maintenance, including wrenches, engine oil and gearbox oil, and pointed out the need to obtain these tools.
The program then combined theoretical concepts with practical applications. Using newly acquired tools, the trainees worked on the motorboats, encountering problems with the batteries that needed to be replaced so that the engines could be properly inspected and serviced. This highlighted the critical role of operational components and equipment in successful engine maintenance and repair.
Subsequent sessions used a video presentation to explain how common four-stroke engines work and to recap the principles previously covered. Practical work continued with the newly acquired batteries, resulting in partial success in starting the engines. A further inspection identified electrical problems that required special attention, indicating the need to involve an electrician in future training sessions.
Training will continue, with four days of training scheduled each month. This training initiative represents an important step in improving the PMPF’s maritime safety capabilities and ensuring they are better equipped to efficiently maintain and operate their fleet of powerboats.
