The two Island-class patrol boats of 110 feet that the United States donated to Costa Rica’s Coast Guard Service finally left the Baltimore dock towards Puerto Caldera, Puntarenas, where they will be used to battle organized crime and drug trafficking, as well as in the protection of marine biodiversity and humanitarian actions.

“It was a proud moment to see this vessels, named after our national heroes, Juan Rafael Mora Porras ( President of Costa Rica from 1849 to 1859 and one of the figures of the war against William Walker and his filibuster regime) and General Jose Maria Cañas (who commandeered the Costa Rican Army against William Walker), finally set sail, each with their respective Costa Rican crew”, commented Roman Macaya ambassador of Costa Rica to the U.S., “For three months, 47 members of the National Coast Guard Service have participated in an intense training in Baltimore. (…) We can now say that this Coast Guard Service is the most professional, best trained, and equipped that Costa Rica has had in history. As soon as they arrive to Costa Rica they will incorporate to the active service and will project the presence of the country over the totality of our exclusive economic zone. This is not a minor thing, since our exclusive economic zone in the Pacific has an area approximately eleven times the size of our terrestrial area. For the first time we will be able to patrol the waters past Isla del Coco. These ships will be indispensable in search and rescue missions, illegal fishing control and in the combat of drug trafficking; however, the most valuable resource is the human resource”, he added.

The patrol ships should arrive to Caldera by the end of April.

The total value of the donation, including the renovation of the ships, renovation of the equipment and the training of the officials, comes close to US$18.9 million.