Safe Seas Africa : Closing Ceremony on a National Training on Maritime Investigation

Safe Seas Africa : Closing Ceremony on a National Training on Maritime Investigation

Speech delivered by Mr Marios Vitos, First Secretary at the Delegation on the occasion of Closing Ceremony on a National Training on Maritime Investigation implemented by INTERPOL as part of the Safe Seas Africa programme.

Representative from the Mauritius Prime Minister's Office,

Representatives from law enforcement agencies,

Officials from INTERPOL,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is an honour to address you today on the critical subject of maritime investigation, a field that demands both vigilance and specialized expertise.

The sea is a vast and dynamic domain. The Indian Ocean connects nations, drives economies, and facilitates more than 70 percent of global trade.

Yet, it also provides opportunities for crime: smuggling, piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking in persons and narcotics, environmental violations, and even terrorism. For law enforcement agencies, the maritime space is both a lifeline and a challenge.

You have all seen recently in this region of several drug interdictions at sea and in the Port area-where tons of narcotics are hidden in dhows, cargo containers or fishing vessels.

Success in these cases comes down to sharp investigative work: gathering intelligence both at national and regional level - intelligence from the two regional maritime centres (RMIFC and RCOC), boarding safely, preserving evidence, and building airtight cases that stand in court.

Why Maritime Investigations Matter

Maritime investigations go beyond routine policing. When maritime crimes and incidents occur at sea-whether it is drug trafficking, illegal fishing, a collision, an oil spill, or an act of piracy-law enforcement agencies must respond with precision. Each investigation not only seeks accountability but also strengthens safety, security, and the rule of law in your waters.

Unique Challenges

Investigating crimes at sea differs greatly from those on land. The environment is constantly changing, evidence may be lost to the tide, witnesses are often multinational, and jurisdictional questions can be complex. Ships may be flagged under foreign nations, crews come from diverse backgrounds, and offenses may occur in international waters. These realities demand strong legal knowledge, coordination, and investigative skills.

The European Union is pleased to support law enforcement and related support agencies in Mauritius in maritime investigations.

I am pleased to note that various institutions at national level have benefitted from this training including the National Coast Guard, Anti-Drug and Anti-Smuggling Unit (ADSU), the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Central CID, the Prosecution's Office, the Digital Forensics Unit, the Crime Scene Unit, Immigration, Customs (MRA) and the Port Authority.

The training that is being provided by INTERPOL officers through the Safe Seas Africa programme illustrates the commitment of the European Union to enhance the capacity of Mauritius to better target criminal activities at sea for legal prosecution.

One of the cornerstone of the Safe Seas Africa programme is to provide Mauritius with the best expertise and know- how and at the same time to pool the resources at national level in order to build a national ecosystem that would be able to respond to such trans-national challenges. The objective should be to an effective response to maritime crimes for enhanced decision-making and operational response.

I hope that this training exercise will enhance your forensic capabilities to collect and preserve evidence from vessels, cargo, and electronic systems through the effective collaboration between coast guards, navies, police, customs, port authorities, and other partners.

Our partner, INTERPOL, has developed an ambitious work programme for Mauritius that includes mock trials. I also wish to inform you that the Safe Seas Africa also includes support from UNODC to train officers to better understand criminal law and maritime conventions such as UNCLOS, SOLAS, and MARPOL.

Dear Friends, the sea is not lawless. It is governed by the same principles of justice you uphold on land. By strengthening your maritime investigative capacity, you will safeguard trade, protect your environment, and ensure the security of your citizens.

Thank you for your kind attention.