The Montserrat Police Marine Unit will shortly upgrade its security and search and rescue capacity, through acquiring a new 75-foot, twin-screw patrol vessel capable of thirty knots and with a range of three hundred nautical miles. The vessel – a Damen Stan Patrol 2205 Mk2 – will have a crew of four, it can facilitate four more officers and it has a galley, sleeping and bathroom facilities. In addition, the vessel will have a ramp that mounts a twenty-foot rigid inflatable boat powered by an outboard motor. This last is a special modification made to suit Montserrat’s needs.
The vessel has been funded by the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), which runs from 2016 – 2020. The funding for the vessel includes a three-year maintenance package. Thereafter, Government of Montserrat is expected to support maintenance.
These facts were disclosed during a press briefing held in the Governor’s Office Conference Room on Monday November 20th, by Office Manager Tony Bates and Acting Police Commissioner Dwight Thompson. Officials indicated that that substantive Commissioner Steve Foster is in Turkey where he is viewing the vessel (which has been undergoing sea trials) and will observe how it is being customised to suit Montserrat’s particular needs. Outgoing Governor Elizabeth Carriere did not attend the briefing, but the successful completion of the project to acquire this very capable patrol vessel is a significant achievement for her term in office.
Both Governor Carriere and Commissioner of Police, Steve Foster, had much to say in delight and relief at the news when it was previously announced. (See: https://www.themontserratreporter.com/new-police-vessel-is-on-the-horizon-governor-reports/)
The new patrol vessel has already been built and is expected to reach Montserrat “early” in 2018, possibly by April.
The vessel has an “Axe Bow,” which was specially developed to reduce pitching motion. This innovative type of bow is designed by Damen, a Dutch firm, which designed the vessel – a modified fast workboat, built using fibreglass-reinforced plastic. This is the same material that is familiar to us from many pleasure boats, yachts and work boats. It is sturdy, corrosion-proof and long-lasting.
Damen also has a facility in the Caribbean. The vessel will go to this regional facility for major overhauls. More routine maintenance will be carried out by the crew.
Two members of the crew were also present at the briefing, Sgt. Solomon and Officer Maxine Lee (who is to be the vessel’s engineer). Because the vessel fits into a higher classification of working vessels, special additional training has been arranged for the crew.
The officials also indicate that the vessel will undertake three major types of missions: [1] security (sometimes, in collaboration with MCRS), [2] search and rescue, and [3] contribution to regional security in collaboration with neighbouring islands.
The vessel has not as yet been named, and the officials suggested that there will be a “poll” to gather suggested names which would then be assessed by a committee.
