Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3810/-1/140/
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Fisheries, Marine Resources Boat Recomissioned
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Cobra II, the Department and Fisheries and Marine Resources boat, was officially re-commissioned at Road Bay after being out of service for almost a year.
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The Fisheries and Marine boat, in Cobra II
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Speaking at a brief re-commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, August 1, Director of the Department, James Gumbs, said the boat was taken out of service in August last year for a major overall and repair at Rebel Marine Boatyard where it was originally built.
He stated that the vessel was first commissioned in 1991 and had given almost fifteen years of uninterrupted service. Cobra II showed signs for repairs after surviving two major hurricanes and continuous operations. The cost of the extensive repairs amounted to some US$22,000 paid for by the Anguilla Government while the UK Government provided USD$28,000 for the purchase of two outboard engines.
Mr. Gumbs said the re-launching of the boat was a momentous occasion as it was now possible for the Fisheries and Marine Department to resume its surveillance of the island’s territorial waters to combat criminal activities and illegal fishing, undertake research and monitoring work as well as conduct search and rescue activities.
The Marine Biologist was grateful to Danny Smith for making available his boat for use by the Department during the year, to the management and staff of Rebel Marine Ltd and Anguilla Techni Sales Ltd for their excellent workmanship.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries, Bancroft Battick, spoke on behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes. He spoke about the importance of the boat’s operations in the island’s territorial waters and was happy to see it back in service. He noted that vessel also plays a key role in boat racing and thought it was good fortune that the re-launching of Cobra II was just in time for the August season races.