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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
NASSAU, The Bahamas - The commissioning of Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship Arthur Dion Hanna; the purchase and commissioning of eight other vessels and planned upgrades to currently serving ships Her Majesty Bahamian Ships Nassau and The Bahamas, are all part of the government's “new thrust” in the war on transnational crime, Minister of National Security, Dr. Bernard J. Nottage said Friday. The Minister of National Security said it is no coincidence that the first of the four Patrol Vessels that will arrive in The Bahamas over the next few months, has been named after His Excellency, the Hon. Arthur Dion Hanna, as it is going to take an “indomitable spirit” to win the war on transnational crime. Dr. Nottage said The Bahamas is increasingly being threatened by illicit activities such as drugs, ammunition and firearms trafficking, human smuggling, trafficking in persons and poaching – major components of transnational crime.
The government’s “new thrust” he said, should assure Bahamians that their government “is making the right investments in our future security and prosperity.” “Illegal firearms, in particular, have taken violent crime to a new level in our country,” Dr. Nottage said. “The increased threats require that we adopt new and improved strategies, particularly given the expansiveness and porosity of our borders.” Dr. Nottage said what happens in The Bahamas’ maritime territory have far-reaching implications for public safety and security throughout the islands of The Bahamas.. “Transnational crimes and other activities at sea – whether they be illicit trafficking, illegal migration or poaching of our marine resources, can also have serious implications for inter-state relations.” Dr. Nottage said the government is “committed” to securing the country’s borders as a national security imperative. “In this regard, the government gave early attention to the acquisition of additional patrol vessels for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. You may recall that in March, 2013, the Government of The Bahamas signed a Letter of Intent with Damen Shipyards to acquire nine vessels for the Defence Force and in March of this year, a contract with Damen Shipyards was executed.
“The contract with Damen Shipyards also calls for the upgrade, in The Bahamas within the shortest timeframe possible, of the two Bahama-Class vessels (HMBS Nassau and Bahamas) that are each 198 feet in length and which entered service in 1999. The upgrades will extend the operational lifecycle of these vessels for several years,” Dr. Nottage added. The National Security Minister said the government will also execute a contract for Port Infrastructural Works (both marine and shore-side) to be undertaken at HMBS Coral Harbour, Gun Point (Ragged Island) and Mathew Town (Great Inagua) within the frame of the contract. Damen Shipyards, he said, has teamed with Van Oord – an international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects – to execute the civil works component of these services. Much of the work to be undertaken by Van Oord, will be sub-contracted to local partners in order to stimulate employment in this area. Dr. Nottage said the cost for the ship building component of the project is approximately US $149 million while the cost of the Civil Works is approximately US $75 million. “These patrol assets and infrastructure represent a major investment by the government of taxpayers’ money. It is our hope that we will achieve maximum returns through sound leadership and the resolve and determination of highly-trained and committed professionals who can exploit the full range of capabilities offered by these new, sophisticated, combat systems and technologies. “Today’s event could not have come at a more appropriate time. It provides tangible evidence of this government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Force is equipped to effectively protect our territorial water and meet The Bahamas’ obligations in the area of maritime safety and security,” Dr. Nottage added.
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