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| Photo of the vessel |
Charlestown Nevis (August 12, 2004): As part of the New International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) requirements, the Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority (NASPA) on Wednesday August 11, received one motor vessel from LINDEX Company based in the United Kingdom.
Chairman of the NASPA, Mr. Collin Dore, who was on hand to witness the handing over of the vessel, said that the Lindex Company had won the bid to supply two vessels to St. Kitts and Nevis. He also noted that the vessel was a part of the World Bank project where the authority would be receiving a number of bits and pieces of equipment.
“These equipment would be used to strengthen the ability to do border patrol especially in light of September 11 and in light of the new ISPS Code,” the Chairman expressed.
In response to the range of the patrol, Mr. Dore noted that the authority would be working in conjunction with the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard. “Even though we are no way a coast guard in any sense,” he added, “our programme of activity would be coordinated with the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard. In addition to doing patrol for cruise ships within our ports, our vessel would be available for rescue mission as well.”
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| Captain Parks (extreme left) speaking to Chief Security Officer, David Hendrickson and Chairman of NASPA, Collin Dore as they make way to board the vessel. The officials of Lindex raps with Captian Arthur Anslyn and General Manager of Nevis Air & Sea Ports Howard Taylor (extreme right) who were also boarding the vessel for a test run at Long Point Port. |
He also noted that the rescue mission would be in conjunction with the coast guard so it would basically serve as a backup in such missions. “So there is no limit on the range,” the Chairman commented.
Managed by Captain Parks of NASPA, the vessel is 10.2m in length with two in board out board engines. It also has a speed of approximately 40 knots. The captain noted that the vessel has the ability to do the job that it was purchased for and that the crew would be of nine persons. He also noted that the vessel would start its operation with in the next two to three weeks or as soon as the crew has been put together.
Former Captain of the M V Caribe Queen and member of the Board of Directors of NASPA, Mr. Arthur Anslyn, who is also responsible for Marine Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration gave his perception of the boat and looked as some other uses of the boat.
He said, “The need will arise where it will be required to do a lot of different operations, which would include patrols for offenders in the fisheries sector and spot checks would be made on fishermen at sea to make sure that they are complying with the fishing regulation and also fish pot stealing.” The vessel would also be used in curtailing illegal operations as well as emergency runs to nearby ports.
