Coral Harbour Base (RBDF) – While on routine patrol in the
area of Umbrella Cay in the Northern Abacos, Her Majesty's Bahamian Ship
(HMBS) P-48 commanded by Lieutenant Alexis Brown observed occupants
aboard a Boston Whaler engaged in spear fishing. P-48 then proceeded
toward the vessel to conduct a routine boarding and inspection.
Upon
arriving in the area, two more vessels were seen by crew members of
HMBS P-48. All three vessels then fled the scene as HMBS P-48
approached. HMBS P-48 gave chase intercepting one of the boats. Defence
Force Marines later boarded the 17-foot Boston Whaler resulting in the
arrest of two Bahamian men, who were found in possession of a quantity
of undersized crawfish. At the time of the incident, the two men had no
personal identification or any proof of ownership for the vessel.
Swift
action undertaken by Lieutenant Brown and his crew members also
resulted in the arrest of another small vessel engaged in illegal
fishing. This incident occurred while P-48 was escorting the first
vessel it had apprehended to Cooper’s Town. During the boarding, Defence
Force Marines also confirmed that the two Bahamians aboard a second
17-foot Boston Whaler did not possess any form of identification or
proof of ownership. Juvenile grouper and a quantity of undersized
crawfish were found aboard their vessel.
The four men
were and the two vessels were taken to Coopers Town, Abaco where they
were handed over to the Department of Fisheries for various fisheries
violations and further investigations and verification of ownership of
the vessels.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to “Guarding our Heritage.”
