The Antigua Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard has a new tool to carry out maritime surveillance of the country’s porous borders.
That’s because the 11-meter interceptor vessel with the call sign 11-1 Swordfish was commissioned at the Coast Guard base at Deepwater Harbour in St. John’s on Tuesday.
Two million dollars is the price tag of the new crime-fighting vessel commissioned by the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard early Tuesday. Prime Minister Gaston Browne pleased with the new crime-fighting apparatus, says it will help boost maritime surveillance.
“We recognize that our borders are indeed porous, and we want to make sure that we acquire the necessary assets in order to secure our country’s maritime borders,” he said.
The prime minister has charged the Coast Guard officials with stamping out illegal fishing as well as delimiting the illicit drug trade.
“We recognize that our maritime security is not just about national security, but at the same time, to ensure that we also deliver on our regional and hemispheric commitments to ensure that we secure borders to the extent that it does not become a soft underbelly for the trafficking of narcotics,” he said.
Chief of Defense Staff Brigadier Talbert Benjamin expressed his gratitude to both Prime Minister Gaston Brown and Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Gilbert Boustany for leadership on securing the vessel.
He assures the scope of coverage will continue to increase, particularly considering the central role the ABDF Coast Guard plays in sub-regional security.
“In collaboration with the ECCAA, the Antigua Barbuda Defense Force has been designated the authority for maritime search and rescue, so sir we expect to continue to develop this capability with both the Coast Guard and air wing giving us responsibility not only for Antigua Barbuda but for the North Eastern Caribbean up to Anguilla and down to Dominica.
Brigadier Benjamin alongside Prime Minister Browne, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, and Acting Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers were treated to a tour of and a spin in the Swordfish.
Prime Minister Browne says he is pleased with its progress.
“I think it’s easily the fastest boat on the island. So we will be utilizing this to go after those involved in illegal activities,” says the Prime Minister.
The 38 foot or 11 meter vessel seen as a significant boost to Coast Guard’s ability to monitor the more than 110,000 square miles of marine space in this country’s territorial waters.