The Nassau Guardian
New defense force vessel arrives
The first of nine vessels that are expected to significantly enhance the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) detection capabilities arrived in New Providence yesterday.
The $15 million vessel, HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna, was docked at Prince George Dock after a six-day journey from Amsterdam, where it was built.
The government will sign the acceptance letter for that vessel today, according to National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage.
“We have to be able to defend our borders and protect the integrity of our country,” said Nottage during a press conference onboard the vessel yesterday morning.
“As you know, illegal immigration is probably the biggest problem we have in terms of border invasion. But there are drugs always going through.
“We are satisfied that there are guns that go through. We are satisfied that there is human smuggling and there is trafficking in persons.
“The fight against those will be significantly enhanced by the acquisition of this fleet.”
RBDF officer Chapell Whyms said the vessel can accommodate a crew of 24 and is equipped with state-of-the-art communications.
He said the vessel can travel for 2,500 miles before refueling is required.
RBDF Commander Nedley Martinborough said the acquisition of all nine vessels will “fill a void that has been missing for several years”.
“It provides a complete range of vessels from 100 feet to 140 feet and we will still have in our fleet the 200 feet HMBS Bahamas and Nassau, which are also set to receive [refurbishing] during this Sandy Bottom Project,” he said.
“So given the existing fleet and the completion of the Sandy Bottom Project, that would complete maritime security from the surface level for some years to come; I would daresay the next 15 or 20 years.”
The government expects another two boats within the next four months. All of the vessels are expected to be complete by August 2016. Officials said construction of the vessels is running ahead of schedule.
Nottage previously said the cost for the shipbuilding is approximately $149 million and the civil works are expected to cost $75 million.
The government will borrow $232 million from Deutsche Bank to purchase the vessels and carry out ancillary civil work.
The government signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilders Damen Shipyard earlier this year to build the vessels.
Van Oord will dredge the Coral Harbour Port to accommodate the larger vessels. It will also construct ports in Gun Point, Ragged Island, and Matthew Town, Great Inagua.
Several officers are undergoing training so that they can properly man the new vessels.
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