HMJS Alexander Bustamante ship commissioned in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang and Permanent Secretary Courtney Williams commissioned Her Majesty’s Jamaican Ship (HMJS) Alexander Bustamante on December 30, 2021. 

The authorities also renamed the HMJS Samuel Sharpe and HMJS George William Gordon at HMJS CAGWAY, Port Royal. 

It is the latest acquisition to the JDF fleet, which will operate with a crew of 17 and deploy as part of the Second District JDF CG fleet. HMJS arrived at HMJS CAGWAY on August 5 this year. 

The ship will be employed in fulfilling the traditional roles of the Second District JDF Coast Guard. These include search and rescue, fisheries protection, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental pollution control, coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling and drug interdiction, aid to the civil power and other government agencies, and ceremonial duties.

During the ceremony, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang highlighted the protection of Jamaica’s maritime space as crucial for national security and sustainable development.

Dr Chang further cited, “This is crucial to the emergence and viability of Jamaica’s Blue Economy, which has the potential to be a substantial contributor to our long-term economic growth prospects”. 

“Given the growing power of transnational threat networks, particularly illicit drugs and arms traffickers, the emergence of new trafficking routes by traffickers engaged in contraband & human trafficking, illicit migration and illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, we must strengthen the JDF’s capability to monitor and safeguard our maritime zones of responsibility, which include the maritime borders of the nation”, the minister added. 

HMJS Alexander Bustamante ship – 

HMJS is a Damen Fast Crew Supplier 4207. 

Its’ specifications – 

• length overall of 42.8 metres, 
• beam 7.11 metres, 
• max draught 2.5 metres approximately, 
• speed 26 knots, 
• range 1,800 nm at 12 knots, 
• endurance 14 days, 
• propulsion 2 × caterpillar 3516 B (5632 bhp), 
• gearbox reintjes WVS 930/1,
•  propellers 2×controllable pitch propeller, 
• generators 2×3056 T,
•  generator output 400V, 50 Hz.