RM14m vessels to help watch coastline better
Paturday, July 04, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: The Marine Operations Force expects to carry out better monitoring on coastal activities in the State with its three new high-powered vessels costing about RM4.9 million each.
The speedboats to be commissioned for use here, in Semporna and Tawau, were brought in from Kuantan and unveiled to the press at the marine police base here, Friday.
Sabah Marine Operations Force Commander, ACP Abdul Manaf Othman, said the vessels, called Watercat M14, could accelerate up to more than 40 knots per hour and able to switch directions easily, like when making a 360 degree turn.
He also pointed out the boats will not be harmful to coral reefs and could function well in any weather, even during storms.
There were also plans to place a similar vessel in Lahad Datu soon, he said to reporters, after the Watercat M14 demonstration here.
"We are confident that with these new vessels, we will be able to improve our off-shore operations and make more arrests (when needed)," he said.