The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was, yesterday, gifted three Metal Shark patrol boats from the United States to boost its marine wing. The keys to the boats were handed over to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar by United States Ambassador Brent Hardt at the Coast Guard Headquarters at Ruimveldt.

President Ramotar said that the initiative will indeed help to increase the capacity of the GDF and the other law enforcement agencies of Guyana. He added that some crimes of the world today have been recognised as global issues and therefore the combating of those issues mean that there must be close cooperation and the United States, Guyana has enjoyed that.
Mr. Ramotar pointed out that the boats are indeed needed and one should also understand that such advanced equipment are not only available to governments and security forces but also those who seek to profit and benefit from criminal activities.

He posited that Guyana and other nations need to rethink their traditional ways of demarcation and limitations of duties by some of the disciplined forces and for there to be defence of borders and the creation of the environment that will be able to carry on economic activities of people.
According to Mr. Ramotar, Guyana is still a poor nation but the need for security remains above all other needs, while at the same time those who are tasked with the handling of the equipment, to exercise care and caution so that they can have a longer lifetime. Funds saved in this way would enable procurement of other resources rather than replacing or engaging in revolving maintenance of one set of equipment.

The Metal Sharks can be used for the provision of services and functions such as containment, restriction of waterways, seizure of coastal force, tactical situation, insertion, extraction, board and bank search, waterborne ambush and night movement.
In addition, the newly acquired “Sharks” can be used to carry out military assaults, blocking action, convoy support, high value transit protection and other functions.
The boats which are the first U.S made boats to be used by the GDF Coast Guard are being regarded as valuable assets being added to its marine fleet. The boats are equipped with special communications equipment to aid in the timely sharing of information and coordination between the vessels on the water and personnel on land and in the air.
Mr. Hardt told the gathering that the handing over of the vessels also marks the beginning of yet another chapter in the relationship between Guyana and the U.S. Guyana’s acquisition of the vessels also serves as a tool to assist in the fight to combat transnational and organised crime, while ensuring that freedom of commerce and navigation on inland waterways and the safety of Guyanese.
Hardt explained that the vessels which were handed over joins other vessels which have been handed over to other Caribbean countries and have yielded results, namely the interdiction of illicit trafficking. According to the U.S Ambassador, the cooperation among the two nations forms part of the bigger plan of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which was announced by United States President Barack Obama in 2009 and according to Hardt, the United Sates remain committed to the promise of its president.
The three Metal Sharks which are identical and carry police cockle horn and sirens also have fitted as part of its combat tool, several other features which could not be revealed for security reasons. The vessels which will be directly under the control of the GDF will from to time be called into operation when the need arises by the Maritime Administration Department, police and other state agencies who from time to time conduct water operations including search and rescue and recovery exercises.
By Leroy Smith