A table top exercise on maritime security is taking place in Sao Vicente Island, Cabo Verde (31 March – 1 April) with the aim of encouraging a multi-agency, whole of Government approach to maritime security and maritime law enforcement issues using a range of evolving scenarios. Organized by the Cape Verde Maritime Authority, run by a team of IMO consultants and attended by a host of national agencies – the exercise follows the IMO/MOWCA (MoU) and the Code of Conduct concerning the prevention of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in West and Central Africa.
 
IMO has been running this successful programme, designed to highlight the need for inter-agency cooperation and the development of national maritime strategies and contingency plans, in West and Central Africa since 2012. The current event is the 15th table top exercise to be held in West Africa and the second to be held in Lusophone Africa since the project began, with a further two exercises being planned for later in 2015.
 
The IMO team of consultants consists of Richard Davey, Marcos Augusto de Almeida and Luis Resano.