BASRAH — The Iraqi Navy is more capable of securing its waterways and oil platforms now that it started familiarization training on many new boats at the Port of Umm Qasr here, Feb. 11.

During the two-week course, the Sailors learn engineering, preventative maintenance and basic seamanship with their new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats.

“These new boats are helpful for us in our territorial operations with their modern features,” said Iraqi Lt. j.g. Amgad E. Karem, an officer with the Diving Squadron. “They are very fast, which is good for maneuvering on the sea. We have never had training like this before.”

The U.S. recently purchased the new eight meter RHIB’s, and accessories, for roughly $2.5 million. They are capable of carrying a variety of weapons and travel at high speeds. The boats carry three crew and up to five passengers.

They will be used for patrols on both the river and local gulf area, as well as diving.

During the training, one of the U.S. trainers walked along one of the elevated boats showing the Iraqi Sailors how to properly conduct preventative maintenance checks. He stopped at the trailer wheels and pointed at the cap off of the wheel hub.

“You need to stick your finger in there and feel the ball bearings so know you how it should feel,” said trainer Timothy Wood. “Don’t be afraid to get dirty. As engineers we love grease. Doing this will create muscle memory.”

Wood, a retired U.S. Navy boatman, travels all over the world helping countries like Iraq outfit their waterway security teams. He said that of all the skills they teach, maintenance is the most critical because they are not as accustomed to it.

During his pre-check demonstration, he explained how saltwater can break down the bearing lubricants and cause them to seize. To drive home the point to his students, he told a story about a team he visited in Panama that didn’t perform all of its maintenance properly.

He said that one of their crew didn’t bother inspecting the trailer parts before they left for a mission. As the boat was pulled down the road, the trailer seized on them, causing the boat to flip and kill a civilian.

“It is your responsibility to plan for the mission,” Wood said. “One step missed is equal to one person dead.”

Once the Iraqi’s familiarization training is complete, the British Royal Navy will take over and train them on tactics and other advanced operating methods.

Umm Qasr is the only deepwater port in the country and acts as a gateway for commerce, distribution of oil and other goods in and out of the country.

The port city sits at the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab River and opens into the Persian Gulf and boarders both Kuwait and Iran.