KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) achieved a milestone when it officially received the former United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutter Steadfast at Wheaton O’Thorp Center (WOTC) in the United States on Saturday (Sept 6).
MMEA director-general Maritime Adm Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah described receiving the vessel as symbolic of the strong cooperative ties between Malaysia and the United States, particularly between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and USCG.
"The vessel will begin its maiden voyage with a new crew that will record its own history as the longest and furthest voyage ever undertaken in the history of MMEA, by crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, Red Sea, Suez Canal and Indian Ocean.
"This new asset is expected to enhance the capabilities of MMEA in ensuring the security of the country’s maritime zones, in addition to expanding the scope of cooperation between Malaysia and the US in areas of training, technical exchange and capacity-building,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, James Knight, deputy chief acquisition officer and director of Domain & Integration Services at USCG, signed the certificate of transfer and handed over the Steadfast to Admiral Mohd Rosli in a ceremony witnessed by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.
Also present were Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Maritime Intelligence Division director First Adm Datuk Md Fauzi Othman and Maritime Criminal Investigation Division director First Adm Shahref Steve Mac Queen Abdullah.
Knight said in his speech at the ceremony that the vessel, transferred to Malaysia via a US Foreign Military Sales Programme agreement, was commissioned in 1968 and served with distinction for 56 years before being decommissioned last year.
He hoped that the presence of this ship in the MMEA fleet would bolster the nation’s maritime security.
Meanwhile, a total of 50 crew members consisting of nine officers and 41 MMEA personnel received a certificate of completion of training after finishing an intensive seven-week programme for operating the Steadfast, a 64m (210ft) Reliance Class Medium Endurance Cutter. – Bernama
