The U.S. Embassy, Bucharest, and Navy League of the United States - Romania Council (NLUS-RC ) conducted the "International Coastal Cleanup 2015" project in Constanta, Romania, Sept. 26, 2015.

Nine members of the U.S. Navy Fleet Survey Team (FST), on a hydrographic survey mission in the Port of Constanta, joined nearly 300 other volunteers to clean up over one kilometer of beaches and other areas.

Fleet Survey Team, is in Constanta to conduct a hydrographic survey and a bi-lateral technical exchange with their counterparts from the Romanian Naval Hydrographic Directorate. The data will also be delivered to the National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) and be used to update nautical charts used by U.S. Naval Forces.

Their mission in Constanta fulfills U.S. European Command requirements, and FST's involvement in the local community is an opportunity to build upon relations with a key strategic ally, supporting many U.S. strategic objectives.

"Not only is it something to do to cleanup so we can have more fun at the beach, it also ensures that our marine wildlife is better off, that we have healthier oceans, which produce healthier fish" said Mr. Dean Thompson, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Romania

Volunteers were comprised of 150 U.S. military and government civilians from the Black Sea Rotational Force (BSRF) and U.S. Army units based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, as well as Department of State (DoS) staff from the U.S. Embassy, Bucharest.

Volunteers worked alongside 150 Romanian military, authorities, and students from middle school through junior college.

The mission in Constanta will last approximately 70 days and began in mid-August. The data collected will be given to the Romanian Government for them to update their charts. Updated charts will enable shipping companies to get cheaper insurance, encourage commerce, and improve the local and national economy.

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Teodor Patrichi, President of NLUS-RC, wrapped up the event by presenting certificates of participation to all of the groups, and posing for photos with the collected trash, netting approximately five tons.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint naval operations often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.