Trinidad and Tobago gets two Cape Class Patrol Boats

Trinidad and Tobago: In the esteemed presence of Dr . Keith Rowley, Trinidad and Tobago received TTS Port of Spain (CG41) and the TTS Scarborough (CG42) two brand new Cape Class Patrol Boats, at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, on (Friday 16th July, 2021). Prime Minister Rowley, in address, said that it is a joyous day for Trinidad and Tobago as the country gets the new fit-for-purpose vessels, which will improve the border protection capabilities of the Coast Guard. Dr Rowley remembered when he visited Australia in 2018 & announced the intent of the Government to buy two purpose-built Cape Class Patrol Boats (CCPB). [caption id="attachment_36076" align="alignnone" width="1728"]

PM Rowley while Cape Class Patrol Boat examination[/caption] Also, he expressed thanks to former PM of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull and his Government for the facilitation of the arrangement & praised the friendly connection between T&T and Australia. Additionally, Prime Minister also commended the men & women of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard for protecting and serving the nation and appealed to them to take care of the vessels saying they are “significant investments of the people of Trinidad and I request to you to treat them as such”. He went on to say, “these vessels will only be of use & of service to us if they are maintained.” Moreover, Dr Rowley noted that while this is not the first time that the Government has tried to address the border problem, he has every confidence that the 2 new vessels will help in the efforts.

The new vessels have a 3,000 nautical mile range at an economical speed of 12 Knots and are capable of patrols up to 28 days, with a crew of up to 27 persons. Their top speed is rated in excess of 20 Knots and is also outfitted with two high-speed 7.3-metre rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), which can be used for various missions. Once the crews of TTS Port of Spain (CG41) and the TTS Scarborough (CG42), are fully trained, they will be expected to embark on operations that include but are not limited to Border Security; Search and Rescue; Counter Narcotics; Counter-Trafficking of Persons and Cargo; Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief; Critical Maritime Infrastructure Security and Protection; and, Fisheries and Natural Resources Protection. These vessels will also aid in maintaining a sustained presence in areas that are difficult to provide logistical support and maritime safety and security. [caption id="attachment_36077" align="alignnone" width="1728"]

Picture shared by PM Rowley[/caption] Dr Rowley was joined in the ceremony by the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Senator Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young, Acting High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Casey Beath and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force, Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel.

Trinidad and Tobago gets two Cape Class Patrol Boats

Latest

Related Articles