By By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Bushrod Island, Liberia – In a major move to stamp out illegal fishing and protect Liberia’s rich marine resources, the Liberian Fisheries Authority (NaFAA) has officially handed over the powerful Lone Star patrol vessel to the Ministry of National Defense for use by the Liberia Coast Guard. This bold action marks a significant escalation in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as authorities vow to crack down on lawbreakers and maritime criminals plundering Liberia’s waters.
The vessel, originally named Pride of Wales (FPV Aegis), was a generous donation from the Welsh Government in 2019 to help Liberia combat illegal activities in its territorial waters. Built in 1996, the patrol boat is a formidable maritime asset, boasting Twin Caterpillar 3408 700-horsepower diesel engines, a 4000-liter fuel capacity, and advanced navigation and surveillance systems to track and intercept violators with precision.
Speaking at the dramatic handover ceremony at the Mesurado Pier Office on Bushrod Island, the Director-General of NaFAA, Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco, declared that the vessel had been a game-changer in Liberia’s fight against piracy and illegal fishing.
“Since we got this vessel from the Welsh Government, Liberia has not experienced piracy on its waters as it were in the past,” Glassco revealed, hailing the drastic decline in maritime crime.
With Liberia’s rich fishing industry at risk of being exploited by foreign poachers, Glassco emphasized the critical need to defend national waters.
“If we do not protect our waters, our resources risk depletion from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities,” she warned.
Authorities report that the crime rate at sea has plummeted from a staggering 80% to nearly 35%, thanks to joint enforcement efforts between NaFAA and the Liberia Coast Guard.
Liberia’s Military Gears Up for Battle at Sea!
The transfer of the Lone Star vessel comes on the eve of Armed Forces Day, a symbolic moment underscoring Liberia’s increased military readiness to defend its maritime borders.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Defense, Assistant Minister of Coast Guard Hon. Richard Kamara stressed that Liberia’s maritime space is under constant threat, requiring stronger joint collaboration among government institutions.
“We must take aggressive action against illegal activities on our waters. This vessel strengthens our capability to patrol and protect Liberia’s natural resources,” Kamara stated.
United Kingdom Reaffirms Commitment to Liberia’s Security
Also present at the high-stakes event was Ms. Joana Markbreter, Head of Mission at the United Kingdom Embassy near Monrovia, who reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Liberia’s maritime security.
“The United Kingdom was the first nation to recognize Liberia as an independent state, and we continue to stand by Liberia in securing its waters,” Markbreter said, referencing the historic ties between the two nations.
