Web Site of the Jamaica Defence Force

US Government donates New Nortech Interceptor
Vessels to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard

By Lance Corporal Juliet Clarke
Headquarters Jamaica Defence Force (Civil Military Affairs)

The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG) received two new vessels and two trucks from the United States Government. The vessels and trucks were handed over to the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Major General Stewart Saunders and the Commanding Officer of the JDF CG,
Commander Kenneth Douglas, by the United States Ambassador to Jamaica
Brenda LaGrange Johnson, at the JDF CG Headquarters in Port Royal, Kingston, on 10 January 2008.

Her Excellency Brenda La Grange Johnson,
United States Ambassador to Jamaica, hands over
the keys of the vessels and trucks JDF’s Chief of
Defence Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders, while
Commander Kenneth Douglas, Commanding
Officer of the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard looks

Ambassador Johnson in her presentation noted that the gifts were donated through the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM) ‘Enduring Friendship’ programme.

“I want to note that this collaboration is an example of the excellent relations among Jamaican, British and United States security forces in support of maritime security in the Caribbean,” stated Ambassador Johnson.

The vessels were transported to Jamaica onboard the British Naval vessel, LARGS BAY. The crew members were trained in the United States.

The Chief of Staff thanked the Americans and the British on behalf of the Government of Jamaica for the donation and for their assistance in transporting the vessels to Jamaica. He said that the vessels would be used exclusively in the defeat of illicit activities such as the illicit drug trade and illegal immigrants, and to assist in providing economic stability to the country.

The presentation could not have ended without the Force Chaplain blessing the new additions to the JDF CG’s fleet.

These crewmen who where trained in the United
States to operate and repair the vessels.

The Nortech Interceptor is a 40-foot, diesel powered top-of-the-line vessels which has a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour. The vessels are able to hold 400 US gallons of fuel and were built in the Naples Yacht factory, Fort Mayers, Florida. The vessels are able to accommodate four crew members at any one time. The vessels are also equipped with state-of-the-art communication and radar technologies which will assist the JDF CG to communicate better and faster while doing their patrols.

The trucks are the 2008 model of the Ford F450 4WD twin turbo diesel engine, which is able to tow 20, 000 pounds. The trucks are primarily to facilitate the mobility of the Nortech Interceptors.