Within the framework of the implementation of the project titled “Purchase of class C vessels for border surveillance”, the official ceremony of the vessel presentation was held on Thursday 13 February at the Passenger Arrival Terminal of the Limassol Port. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, the Chief-of-Police, Mr Themistos Arnaoutis, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Deputy Minister of Shipping, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, the National Guard, the Fire Service, the British Bases, Mayors and representatives of the Local Administration Authorities, the Ambassador of Finland, which is the country of manufacture of the new vessels, other heads of the Police and other officials.

An address was delivered by the President of the Republic and the Chief-of-Police, whereas details about the possibilities of the new vessels were presented by the Commander of the Port and Marine Police, Mr Michalis Katsounotos.
As stated by the President of the Republic, the purchase of these ten vessels further strengthens the operational capability of the Port and Marine Police, “whose mission – considering the multiple current challenges faced – is multi-dimensional and for this reason its continuous upgrade is imperative”. From his side, the Chief-of-Police, Mr Themistos Arnaoutis stated that the ceremony signals the official integration of ten new class C patrol vessels in the operational action of the Port and Marine Police, within the context of the project implementation of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, jointly financed by the EU and the Republic of Cyprus.

The project pertains to the purchase of ten (10) class C vessels for the needs of the P&M Police, aiming to enhance its operational capabilities for the surveillance and protection of the coastline, the ports and the territorial waters of the Republic. The new vessels have advanced technological instruments of maritime, telecommunication and electronic equipment and rescue equipment, with the capability to identify and detect persons and vessels at a long distance, and they will be used in all maritime stations in non-occupied Cyprus (Protaras, Ayia Napa, Kato Paphos, Latsi, Larnaca and Limassol), supporting at the same time the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) for the purpose of complying with the EUROSUR European system for border surveillance, the prevention of cross-country crime and illegal migration combating, as part of the priorities of the Republic of Cyprus.

The ceremony is integrated in the actions of the project titled “Purchase of class C vessels for border surveillance”, which is implemented within the context of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI). It is co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus.