New ‘MV Searcher’ added to VI’s crime-fighting marine fleet
Mr Frett was at the time delivering brief remarks during the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the launching of the new Customs vessel at the Marine Base in Burt Point on March 5, 2021.
MV Searcher means ‘more secure borders’ – Mr Frett
“This vessel, MV Searcher, will help Customs in their remit. MV Searcher will add to the Customs marine fleet, ensuring that the most precious resources, our BVI community, will realize a reduction in crime, more secure borders and increased patrols,” he said.
“We only ask two things of you, Commissioner of Customs and other end-users of this vessel, keep this vessel maintained at all times and demonstrate good sailing and navigation skills to avoid any accidents on the high seas or otherwise,” Mr Frett added.
Frett said the boat will also be an “essential tool” as they continue to make strides towards building the BVI that “we aspire it to be.”
$$ pumped into marine capabilities of VI – Mr Smith
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Customs Mr Wade N. Smith said millions have been pumped into marine assets since the 2017 hurricanes ravaged their boats.
“The storms of 2017 left us without a vessel. Inoperable and unable to secure the borders. However, within the last year and a half, we have been fully restored.”
“In addition to the recently acquired Midnight Express by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Agencies marine capabilities with high-speed interceptors are second to none in the region. Combined, the replacement value of these assets can be in the vicinity of $2.5 to $3 million,” Mr Smith remarked.
He boasted that the investment to secure the territory’s borders has yielded “significant returns” in the fight against transnational crimes that are intercepted in the Virgin Islands.
Present at the dedication ceremony was also Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who expressed that he was pleased that the government saw it fit to make the purchase that will assist in making the territory a safer place.
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20 Responses to “New ‘MV Searcher’ added to VI’s crime-fighting marine fleet”
Too many corrupt officers in that UNIT, champagne popper and associates have a lot to pay for. That UNIT was once a respectful UNIT but now they only show off with their guns on their side and boast. The governor needs to do a serious investigation and really dig into them and have the bad eggs removed and punished for their wrong doing. People scared to talk because of friendship but wrong is wrong. They are not above the law. When other people do wrong they get penalize.
People speek up if we need our country to be safe and normal again. The big is fighting covid, drugs,illegal immigrants,guns and most of all CORRUPT FRONTLINE OFFICERS. how can our country be safe or we be safe in our country.
It be ur own just trying to spread false rumors all because of hate and jealousy. The record has been good let the officers be ... y’all sickening some y’all think of being corrupt and crooked thats y u all automatically think the officers there are “corrupt/crooked “. That’s y they’re there with good and record and continuous results and y’all not ...
The front line officers has resulted in many apprehension, interception, illicit drugs bust, cash seizure numerous fines to offenders during the lock down alone .The good is never remembered but it’s there..
Hope customs can also put out the many cases they deals with resulting in fines and other penalties public relation will show how well your officers are working