Liberia Coast Guard Takes Full Command of LoneStar Patrol Vessel,

Monrovia, Liberia – In a move to enhance maritime security and fisheries enforcement, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) officially handed over the Lone Star Fisheries Patrol Vessel to the Liberia Coast Guard on Monday, February 10, 2025. The event, held at Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island, marked a significant milestone in the country’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as other maritime crimes, including piracy and smuggling.

Following the vessel handover, NaFAA Director-General Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco and Hon. Richard Kamara, Assistant Minister for Coast Guard Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation and Coordination to further solidify the working relationship between NaFAA and the Liberia Coast Guard in enforcing fisheries regulations and protecting Liberia’s territorial waters.

The Lone Star Patrol Vessel, formerly known as Pride of Wales (FPV Aegis), was originally donated to the Government of Liberia in April 2019 by the Welsh Government of the United Kingdom to support the country’s fight against IUU fishing.

The high-performance surveillance vessel, constructed in 1996, is equipped with a Twin Caterpillar 3408 700 horsepower (hp) diesel engine, consumes 100-120 liters per hour at 17 knots, and features a 500-liter freshwater tank and a 4,000-liter fuel capacity. Its navigation and communication systems include:

Compass and GPS, Satellite phone, Furuno Echo Sounder, Koden Radar, Remote-controlled searchlight, Navigation lights, Four lifebuoys, and 60-meter anchor chain

With its transfer to the Liberia Coast Guard, the vessel will now be used to patrol the country’s nine coastal counties, ensuring compliance with fisheries laws and preventing maritime crimes.

During the handover ceremony, Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco, Director-General of NaFAA, praised the Welsh Government and the United Kingdom for their support in strengthening Liberia’s maritime surveillance capabilities. She highlighted the vessel’s impact on reducing piracy and protecting Liberia’s rich marine resources.

“Since we received this vessel from the Welsh Government, Liberia has not experienced piracy at the level it once did,” Glassco stated. “Strengthening our surveillance capabilities is critical because if we do not protect our waters from illegal fishing activities, our resources risk depletion, and our economy will suffer.”

She further revealed that NaFAA’s partnership with the Liberia Coast Guard has resulted in a significant reduction in maritime crime from 80% to approximately 35-40%.

Glassco also emphasized the importance of cooperation between NaFAA and the Coast Guard, stating that the signing of the MoU would ensure a more structured and efficient approach to monitoring Liberia’s waters.

Receiving the vessel on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense, Hon. Richard Kamara, Assistant Minister for Coast Guard Affairs, described the handover as a timely boost to Liberia’s maritime security efforts, particularly as the event took place on the eve of Liberia’s Armed Forces Day.

“Liberia’s maritime space is vast, and we continue to face serious security challenges. This vessel and our strengthened partnership with NaFAA will enhance our ability to patrol our waters, enforce our laws, and protect our national resources,” Kamara stated.

He stressed the need for strong collaboration among government entities to ensure success in the fight against IUU fishing and other illegal activities on Liberia’s waters.

“Our security forces cannot do this alone. This partnership signifies that we must all work together to secure our marine resources for the benefit of our people,” he added.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major General Col Davidson Forleh, commended the Liberia Coast Guard for its critical role in securing the country’s maritime territory.

“The Coast Guard is not only responsible for protecting our waters but also contributes significantly to national security and economic growth,” Maj. Gen. col Forleh stated.

He emphasized the Coast Guard’s role in generating revenue for the country, as its operations help to enforce fishing regulations, deter smuggling, and prevent illegal activities that harm Liberia’s economy.

“With this vessel now in full operation under the Coast Guard, we expect stronger enforcement and greater protection of our marine resources,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom, Ms. Joana Markbreter, Head of Mission at the British Embassy near Monrovia, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Liberia in securing its waters and strengthening its fisheries sector.

“The UK and Liberia share common challenges when it comes to fisheries management and maritime security. The donation of this vessel demonstrate our ongoing commitment to Liberia’s fisheries governance,” she stated.

Markbreter also highlighted the historic relationship between Liberia and the United Kingdom, recalling that the UK was the first nation to recognize Liberia as an independent country in Africa.

Immediately following the vessel handover, NaFAA and the Liberia Coast Guard signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation and Coordination to support fisheries operations.

The agreement, signed by Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco and Hon. Richard Kamara, formalizes a strategic partnership between NaFAA and the Coast Guard to ensure:

Joint patrols and surveillance operations, Intelligence sharing on illegal fishing activities, Stronger enforcement of fisheries regulations, and Better coordination in protecting Liberia’s territorial waters

Speaking on the significance of the agreement, Glassco emphasized that the MoU would further enhance Liberia’s ability to regulate its fisheries industry and safeguard marine biodiversity.

“This MoU strengthens our working relationship with the Coast Guard and ensures we coordinate efforts to tackle illegal fishing and protect our waters,” she stated.

With the Lone Star Fisheries Patrol Vessel now fully under Coast Guard command and the MoU in place, Liberia is entering a new phase of maritime security, prioritizing:

Sustainable fisheries management, Enhanced surveillance and enforcement, Economic resilience for coastal communities

This collaboration is expected to significantly improve fisheries enforcement, protect the livelihoods of local fishermen, and secure Liberia’s blue economy for future generations.