The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has officially handed over a Patrol Vessel known as the Lone Star to the Ministry of National Defense (Armed Forces of Liberia) for use by the Liberia Coast Guard to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and at the same time, enhance compliance and enforcement across the nine coastal Counties.
It can be recalled that in April 2019, the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom donated the Fisheries Patrol Vessel to the Government through NaFAA to boost the government’s effort towards curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the Liberian Territorial Waters.
The Vessel, the Pride of Wales (FPV Aegis), which was constructed in 1996, has a Twin Caterpillar 3408 700 horsepower (hp) diesel engine, consumes 100/120 litre per hour at 17 Knots, has a 500-litre fresh water tank, and holds 4000 litres of fuel in two tanks.
It has an anchor with a 60m chain, navigation equipment including a compass and GPS, satellite phone, Furuno Echo Sounder, Koden Radar, searchlight with remote control, navigation lights, and four lifebuoys.
NaFAA Director General, Emma Glassco, turned over the Lone Star Fisheries Vessel to the Minister of Defense through her Assistant Minister for Coast Guard, Richard Kamara, on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Monrovia.
In her remarks, Madam Glassco commended the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom for what she termed as a ‘generous donation’ that has helped curb Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and also prevent piracy on Liberia’s waters.
She also lauded the Liberia Coast Guard through its leadership for the cordial working relationship, which has resulted in a stronger partnership between the two government institutions.
The NaFAA Boss noted, “Since we got this vessel from the Welsh government, Liberia has not experienced piracy on its waters as it were in the past, and if we do not protect our waters from illegal fishing activities, our resources risk depletion from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing activities,” Glassco intoned.
She also disclosed that NaFAA’s partnership with the Liberia Coast Guard has led to a drastic reduction in the crime rate at sea from 80 to 35-40 percent.
Defense Assistant Minister of Coast Guard Richard Kamara said Liberia’s Maritime space is challenged; therefore, the need for joint collaboration among government entities highly exists to achieve success in the fight against illegal activities on the waters.
Minister Kamara termed the turning over of the Lone Star patrol vessel on the eve of the Armed Forces Day of Liberia as being timely as patrols on Liberia’s waters will help curb illegal activities and ensure the protection of the natural resources.
Meanwhile, the head of Mission at the UK Embassy near Monrovia, Joana Markbreter, recounted the long-standing relationship that exists between Liberia and the UK, stating that the UK was the first Nation to recognize Liberia as a free Independent Nation in Africa.
