Blog Post
Bulgaria: ICITAP Partners with EUCOM and CBP to Launch Basic Maritime Border Security Training in Sozopol
On August 16, ICITAP’s Liaison to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) provided an update on ICITAP’s partnership with EUCOM and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In Bulgaria, the three-agency team began a basic maritime border security one-week training program, which modeled after the U.S Coast Guard’s Boarding Officer Training course. The course consists of classroom presentations, student-instructor interactions, group exercises, scenario based practical application and experiential learning. Students were assigned to one of the three (3) Boat Teams and given specific positions, such as Boarding Officer, Assistant Boarding Officer, Inspector or Security. For two full days during the week, the Boat Teams conducted round-robin style scenario based practical application exercises consisting of Mission Planning, Vessel Boarding and Debriefing, switching Team Boarding Officers during every scenario. The scenarios increased in complexity from compliant boardings to intelligence driven suspected narcotic activity, human trafficking and smuggling. Funded by EUCOM, this program is designed to assist host-country maritime law enforcement with securing its maritime borders on the Black Sea.
Updated January 20, 2025