The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is chartering three additional patrol vessels for use by fisheries inspectors in European and international waters.
The newly-chartered Portuguese-flagged vessels – Ocean Guardian, Ocean Protector and Ocean Sentinel – will be used to patrol primarily in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, Western Waters and the North and Black Seas.
“The chartering of three inspection platforms marks a turning point and materialises our strong commitment to support member states authorities and the European Commission promoting compliance with the fisheries rules, as well as contributing for safe, secure and sustainable seas,” said Susan Steele, EFCA executive director.
The 62m multi-role emergency response and rescue vessels each have a dynamic position system and have been certified to ISO 14001, the environmental management standard.
Each has seven ensuite cabins along with a meeting room, digital projection capacity and broadband internet connection for live video conferencing.
They are joined by an aircraft contracted by EFCA to carry out aerial surveillance and will also support the coast guard as well as take place in search and rescue operations, and pollution control.
