Fisheries rededicates patrol vessel

This evening ceremonies officially rededicating the Lutjanus, a fifty-two foot vessel, to the Fisheries Department marine fleet, took place at the compound. The boat was refurbished through a grant from the United States government. The Lutjanus, valued at four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, will be used in a number of operations conducted by the department.

George Myvett, Fisheries Administrator

“This boat is critical to the operation of the Fisheries Department in its various responsibilities. These include among other things, things like enforcement and surveillance. As you would know Belize, with its extended territorial seas and exclusive economic zone, has over forty thousand square kilometres of waters to patrol.

The vessel has been refitted with some of the latest navigational equipment. It has been fitted with a new radio system that has a varying level of skills. Focusing on a half-mile radius the radio can also focus in on a sort of 10-mile radius which is very good in navigation. This boat is equipped essentially to navigate both during the day and night. It is also fitted with an eco-sounder which is really standard for the industry right now, a global positioning system. So it is well fitted out in terms of technology.”

Myvett says the refitting and repairs cost approximately seventy thousand dollars.