Jamaica is the beneficiaries of six marine vessels which have been donated by Japan to help secure the country’s borders.

Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson has welcomed the gift of marine vessels from the Japanese government, which he says will aid the marine police in their work of border protection.

Speaking Wednesday (October 5) during the handover of one of the vessels, a rubber hull inflatable boat, Commissioner Anderson disclosed that three patrol boats are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica at the end of January next year.

He pointed out that the vessels will also help in keeping beach users safe.

Anderson lamented that the police force requires the use of proper equipment to bolster efforts at thwarting smuggling and infiltration of Jamaica’s borders.

Also speaking at the handover ceremony, Zavia Mayne, state minister in the Ministry of National Security, said the boats will enhance Jamaica’s maritime security and disaster response capabilities.

In the meantime, Matoshi Akimoto, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan, noted that, as part of the broader partnership, an officer from Jamaica’s Ministry of National Security is in Japan being trained in maritime rescue and maritime disaster prevention.

He pointed out that the agreement was signed in 2019 between the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Andrew Holness.