Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sub-Lieutenant Coast Guard Johnny Talbot has been participating in shipboard training with the Brazilian navy.

Talbot has joined several other military marine officers on the 23rd Instruction Voyage aboard the naval school vessel “Brasil,” according to a GDF press statement. The Brazilian Naval Schools usually invite young naval officers from other Caribbean and South American territories to participate on the training voyage. Former Coast Guard officers Richard Lall, Silas Brummell and Tony Blair also benefited from this experience and the army said the most recent invitation stems from its fertile relationship with the Brazilian navy.

The army noted that Talbot is currently the Mechanical Engineering Officer with responsibility for the supervision of the Coast Guard’s junior engineers in ship and other mechanical maintenance works. The six-month voyage which started on June 20, 2009, provides extensive training for the graduates of various military naval schools in Brazil and it also allows them to experience other navies and cultures. On the voyage, “Brasil” will visit seven South American countries, 10 EU countries along with the USA and Morocco before returning to Brazil on December 17.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Coast Guard Andre Cush and Able Rating Kenroy Fraser recently returned to Guyana after participating in shipboard navigation through “Operation Caribex” over 22 days, aboard Brazilian naval vessel “Goiana.” The army said Cush is currently Executive Officer of the GDF Coast guard and is tasked with responsibility for the Unit’s administrative duties. Cush said the training aboard the Brazilian vessel was unlike any he had experienced, particularly because of the procedural and cultural differences.

The GDF said training falls under the cooperation agreement with the Brazilian navy. It followed the visit to Guyana by three military vessels including the “Goiana” and is part of the army’s ongoing efforts to ensure that coast guard ranks benefit from training programmes offered by military partners with which it has relations.