GIS - 14 March, 2016: A safe and secure maritime environment is a prerequisite for the achievement of a Second Economic Miracle and to meet the pledges in the Vision 2030 of the Government, said the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, on Saturday 12 March 2016 at Caudan Waterfront during the induction ceremony of 10 Fast Interceptor Boats.
He stressed that one of the top-most priorities of the Government is to provide resources to the Police to assist in the fight against crime while adding that with the induction of Fast Interceptor Boats, the Mauritius Police Force, through the National Coast Guard, will enhance surveillance, intelligence and presence in the maritime domain.
Speaking about maritime safety and security, Sir Anerood Jugnauth recalled that the vast size and largely unregulated nature of the waterways have made the maritime environment an attractive theatre for transnational crimes. Sea piracy, drug and human trafficking, smuggling and sea-borne terrorism have increased considerably in the last few decades. The situation has further aggravated due to global proliferation of small arms, thus adding to the maritime vulnerabilities, he said.
The Prime Minister added that the 10 Fast Interceptor Boats will also be deployed for life saving search and rescue missions around the main land of Mauritius and around Rodrigues where one of these boats will be permanently stationed in the first instance. Furthermore the NCG will soon be equipped, he said, with two Waterjet Fast Patrol Vessels namely, CGS Victory and CGS Valiant which will respectively be ready by the end of this year and by next year. A brand new Dornier aircraft is also being constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and is expected to be completed by June this year.
Sir Anerood Jugnauth also underlined the unflinching and unwavering support and assistance from the Government of the Republic of India. He expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government and the Indian Navy which have been instrumental in the realisation of several projects in Mauritius.
For his part, the Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Ltd, Mr Shekhar Mital, said that the induction of the Fast Interceptor Boats is a significant milestone achieved by the NCG to discharge their responsibilities in a more effective manner. He recalled the Goa Shipyard Ltd is driven by the quest and commitment to ensure customer satisfaction. Quality construction, short delivery schedules and sensitivity towards customer needs and requirements are some of the key differentiators that have played a key role in the development of a sustained and mutually beneficial relationship with our long term clients, he added.
Fast Interceptor Boats
The Fast Interceptor Boats will add to the existing fleet of patrol vessels of the National Coast Guard for undertaking patrol in and around Mauritius. These state-of-the-art vessels in terms of capabilities, can function in a diverse manner for defence, interception of high speed vessels, coastal patrol, effective surveillance, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching activities, search, rescue and fisheries protection amongst others. The boats have a top speed of 35 knots (63 kmph) with a cruising speed of 20 knots (36 kmph), along with an endurance of over 200 Km. The Fast Interceptor Boats of a length of 14.5 metres each will be fitted with most advanced navigation and communication equipment, including weapons.
The contract between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and Goa Shipyard Limited for the construction of the 10 Fast Interceptor Boats was signed on 4 April 2014 for a total sum of 6 millions USD under the credit line agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Export-Import Bank of India.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website:http://gis.govmu.org