Security Forces’ Maritime Capabilities Bolstered with Five New Vessels

The maritime capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been bolstered with the receipt of five state-of-the-art inshore patrol vessels from the Japanese Government.

The vessels, which were provided under the Government of Japan’s J$420-million Grant Aid Programme, were handed over during a ceremony at the JDF Coast Guard Base in Port Royal, Kingston, on Thursday (April 10).

The JDF received three 40-foot Furuno patrol boats while the JCF was gifted one 40-foot Furuno Patrol boat and a Rigid-Hull inflatable boat, bringing the total number of vessels received to six.

The JCF received the first vessel under the agreement – a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat – in October 2022.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, noted that strengthening of Jamaica’s maritime infrastructure is welcome and important, given the transhipment of contraband and other nefarious activities across Jamaica’s territorial space.

“The maritime economy is also of growing importance for Jamaica, and we have to ensure that we can protect, and not only protect it but exploit the maritime area around Jamaica and Jamaica’s economic space in the ocean. That means we have to have an effective maritime presence, and that’s where the command of the JDF takes priority; each addition to its capacity and expansion of its capacity is welcome and necessary,” he detailed.

Dr. Chang emphasised the importance of ocean-going patrol vessels, air patrol support and coastal radars in securing Jamaica’s coastlines and territorial waters.

He expressed appreciation to the Japanese Government for the marine vessels and was optimistic that “they’ll contribute to the continued reduction in criminal activity”.

“Once we can intercept the criminals at sea, it takes some of the criminal assets offshore,” Dr. Chang added.

Meanwhile, in her remarks, Jamaica’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, noted that “the inshore patrol vessels will increase the JDF’s maritime law-enforcement capabilities to effect its duties in the maritime domain”.

She explained that with the vessels, the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, through the First and Second District of the JDF Coast Guard, will be more equipped to conduct maritime interdiction, fisheries protection and search-and-rescue operations.

Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman said securing Jamaica’s borders is critical to prevent the trafficking of illegal drugs, guns and ammunition in the nation’s territorial waters.

“If we are to achieve the much-needed reduction in violent crimes, we have to exercise dominance over our maritime space. The challenges that we face in the maritime domain are widespread across the Caribbean and will require increased cooperation and collaboration with our neighbours and international partners. So, we thank the Government of Japan for its contribution to securing Jamaica’s maritime domain and its blue economy,” she stated.

The CDS added that she anticipates advancing the relationship with Japan in other areas, such as peacekeeping and humanitarian disaster response training.

In his remarks, Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, indicated that his country’s Government is pleased to assist in further strengthening Jamaica’s maritime security capabilities.

“Both our island nations, Japan and Jamaica, are surrounded by vast seas and ocean waters. Likewise, it is our shared responsibility to safeguard these oceans, as these waters provide us with a wealth of resources and opportunities as well as significant challenges in our respective maritime domain, which is vulnerable to climate change, illegal human and narcotics smuggling, illegal and unregulated fishing and other maritime threats,” he stated.

Ambassador Atsumi emphasised that the vessels will enable Jamaica’s security forces to effectively respond to a wide range of maritime threats and play a crucial role in search-and-rescue operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.

“These vessels will complement the training already received in 2022 by an officer from Jamaica’s Ministry of National Security, who participated in the JICA’s (Japan International Cooperation Agency’s) training programme in Japan for maritime rescue and maritime disaster prevention,” he indicated.

Ambassador Atsumi expressed the hope that “these vessels will operate efficiently and stay sustainable and, moreover, serve as a physical symbol of the strong bond between Japan and Jamaica”.