Feb 09 - Governor And Chief Minister Visit RGP Marine Section In Wake Of RHIB Ramming Incident
The Governor and the Chief Minister this afternoon visited the RGP’s Marine Section to speak to officers involved in Sunday afternoon’s incident at sea during which an RGP RHIB was rammed by suspected drug smugglers.
Lt Gen Ed Davis and Fabian Picardo also inspected the outboard motor damaged as a result of the dangerous manoeuvre.
Officers spoke about the treacherous conditions they routinely face at sea. They explained how adverse weather conditions, poor visibility and ever more determined and reckless drug smugglers with increasingly powerful engines all conspire to make their task one which is fraught with risk.
No officers were injured during Sunday’s incident and the RGP interceptor vessel – the Sir John Chapple – has been fully repaired and is back in service.
Speaking to the press, the Chief Minister said: “I am very conscious of the dangers our officers endure every night. We have to be alive to these dangers which is why one of the first things we did when we were elected was to buy the new capabilities the RGP now has. The RGP used to operate confiscated vessels – these are now bespoke boats but that doesn’t take away from the danger they are in even in these safer vessels.”
Mr Picardo also highlighted the cooperation both between the RGP and the Gibraltar Defence Police and Spanish law enforcement agencies.
The Governor, Ed Davis, said: “What I’ve taken away from this visit is how incredibly professional and courageous the crew have been – they do a great job in very difficult circumstances.”
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