Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
Sydney Innis (left), commanding officer of the JDF Coastguard, with U.S. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and Earl McLeod. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE JAMAICA Defence Force (JDF) Coastguard has received a well-needed boost with the donation of a refitted 40-foot Sea Ark Vessel from the United States Embassy's Narcotics Affairs Section.
The vessel was turned over during a ceremony at the HMJS Cagway port in Port Royal yesterday. The gift, which will aid the JDF in its fight against the illegal drug trade, was one of two vessels that were refitted by the U.S. Embassy at a cost of US$670,000 (J$43.5 million).
Speaking at the handover
ceremony, Rear Admiral Harvey Lewin, Chief of Staff of the JDF, said the assistance from the U.S. Embassy will help defray the costs of the JDF Coastguard in their operations on the sea.
VERY COST-EFFECTIVE
"It is very cost-effective to rehabilitate them rather than to go for new vessels ... what you have in effect is a brand new vessel at a lesser cost. These vessels will go on in the service of the JDF for many more years," Rear Admiral Lewin said.
U.S. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson said her embassy's donation was a practical display of the commitment of the U.S. Government in the war on narcotics.
"This is but a small representation of the U.S. Government's resolve to assist the Government of Jamaica in our mutually beneficial efforts to fight illicit traffic in drugs and other contraband," Ambassador Johnson said.
Commander Sydney Innis, commanding officer of the JDF Coastguard, noted that the vessel would greatly increase
the capability of the JDF Coastguard. He said the JDF, which has six outposts, could use the vessel to respond more quickly and more effectively. He also said the JDF Coastguard could use this vessel in tandem with other vessels to better police the seas.
"One of the things about having a mix of vessels, from the large ones to this medium-sized one, is that we have greater flexibility of how we do things," he added. "This would increase our response capability considerably, out to 200 miles from any of the outstations."
