Officers from the Dutch St Maarten Coast Guard, headed by Captain Robelto Levenstone, on Saturday 2nd March 2019 paid a courtesy call on Captain Charles Richards and officers from the Royal Anguilla Police Force Marine Department. The purpose of the visit was to showcase their brand new marine assets which comprise four 41ft vessels built to specification for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The vessels are fitted with 2 inboard engines and can maintain speed up to 35 knots, and are equipped to be operated for 300 miles continuously. Each vessel is manned by a 6 – man crew in sitting position.
The officers from the RAPF Marine Department got a firsthand experience of the vessels’ capabilities which included navigational equipment and special capabilities when out at sea. Each vessel is large enough in size for sea support, but is also small enough to be trailered and launched from anywhere. The Dutch St Maarten Coast Guard and the RAPF have been sharing support services with each other over the years especially in areas of search and rescue, border patrol and narcotics interdiction. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison, and Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Elliott Forbes, were also on hand to witness the exercise.
