Jamaica’s maritime security and blue economy received a further boost with the naming and commissioning into service of a new offshore patrol vessel, His Majesty’s Jamaican Ship (HMJS) Norman Manley.

It is the latest addition to the fleet of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and will be employed in fulfilling the traditional roles of the 1st District JDF Coast Guard.

These include search and rescue, fisheries protection, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental pollution control, coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling and drug interdiction, aid to the civil power and other government agencies and ceremonial duties.

The HMJS Norman Manley ship type is a Damen Stan Patrol 4207. Specifications include length overall, 42.8 metre; beam, 7.1 metres; draught, max 2.5 metres approximately; displacement, 241 tons and speed, 26.5 knots. It will operate with a crew of 18. The Port of Registry is Kingston.

Addressing the official ceremony, which was held at the Port Royal Cruise Terminal in Kingston on November 29, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang said the naming and commissioning of the HMJS Norman Manley further confirms the Government’s commitment to a comprehensive and strategic approach to a sustainable blue economy and making the island a safer and more secure place.

“A sustainable blue economy emerges when economic activity is in balance with the long-term capacity of ocean ecosystems to support this activity and remains resilient and healthy. One such long-term capacity of the ocean or blue ecosystem is security – more precisely, maritime security,” he stated.

He said the naming and commissioning of the HMJS Norman Manley is evidence of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the security of the country’s borders and the health and wealth of the nation.

The security minister noted that Jamaica has a very expansive maritime space, adding that its geostrategic location gives it a natural advantage for shipping and trade as well as places the country on the prime transshipment routes for criminal networks dealing in drugs, guns and human trafficking.

“We will continue to strategically upgrade our civil defence and our national security assets, incorporating the use of technology as a part of our critical tools in the strategic response to creating a safer Jamaica and a sustainable blue economy,” he said.

Chang informed that the HMJS Norman Manley arrived in Jamaica on November 5 and is the third of four offshore patrol vessels procured by the Government. This, he said, brings the number of offshore patrol vessels in the fleet to five.