Speeches

Ambassador Hull Official Hand Over of Three Dauntless Cutters

May 26, 2006

REMARKS FOR OFFICIAL HAND OVER OF THREE DAUNTLESS CUTTERS

Your Excellency, President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Honorable Ministers, Brigadier Nelson-Williams and other senior RSLAF officers, Fellow Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Distinguished Guests.

Less than a year ago, President Bush approved the National Strategy for Maritime Security.  Under the National Strategy the United States is committed to working closely with our allies and partners around the world to ensure that lawful private and public maritime activities are protected against criminal or hostile exploitation.
 
Actions taken by the United States or by Sierra Leone in pursuing maritime security directly affect the economic activities for both our countries as well as for other nations.  Through international outreach and strategy coordination we want to promote an effective global maritime security framework.  This framework will harmonize free trade and maritime security and will uphold sovereignty, strengthen the economy, enhance international partnerships, in addition to improving maritime security. 
 
To accomplish these goals, the US is forging cooperative public and private partnerships and alliances with other nations.  The US seeks dialogue with international partners when developing maritime security policy initiatives, and we will maintain regular contact to discuss implementation and ensure effectiveness.  We will propose ideas and we encourage others to do the same.  We will speak frankly.  We will also listen carefully.  We will work together.
 
The US Navy Task Force Commodore on the Cruiser USS Carr, which visited Freetown a few weeks ago, in his conversations with Sierra Leonean officials and international representatives, underscored the need for enhanced fisheries patrols, efforts to interdict drug trafficking and trafficking of humans, preventing piracy, and addressing marine pollution.
 
The US is not alone in recognizing the vital importance of securing the maritime domain.  Other nations have also begun to focus on maritime security.  We think that security must be a joint effort.
 
The United States Department of State is donating these three patrol boats to the Maritime Wing of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The donation is in support of increasing the security capacity of the RSLAF.  The value of these donated boats is about $1.2 million. 
 
The boats are 32-foot long Dauntless-class patrol boats manufactured in the U.S. by the Sea-ark Company and are also used by the United States Coast Guard to protect American waters.  They have in-board, stern drive propulsion.  They also have floodlights, searchlights and foghorns to assist commercial and leisure vessels in emergency situations.
 
The patrol boats will be used for coastal security and law enforcement, giving the RSLAF the capacity to patrol and protect Sierra Leone’s natural resources and sovereign waters.
 
The US Department of Defense is assisting by training personnel in Sierra Leone as well as scheduling training for maritime safety and security in the United States.  Personnel of the RSLAF Maritime Wing have completed basic boat driving training and a course in Patrol Craft Propulsion Systems Maintenance.  The United States Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School administered the training.   I congratulate those who have just graduated from the course this morning.  In the near future the United States will continue its support with expanded courses in maintenance and boat operations. 
 
Let me underscore that training and maintenance are absolutely vital for these patrol boats to be used effectively to secure Sierra Leone’s maritime interests. 
 
This is not the first cooperative program between the US Defense Department and the RSLAF.  Over the past two years, the Defense Department has also sponsored several HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and counseling programs and popular music campaigns across Sierra Leone, in conjunction with the RSLAF. 
 
I would like to conclude by remarking that Sierra Leone’s waters are a precious resource, both beautiful and rich with sea life.  It is our hope that these patrol boats are used to protect the sea-borders as well as guard against illegal fishing along with other illegal activities.  It is my pleasure and privilege, Mr. President, to officially hand these three patrol boats over to you,  for Sierra Leoneans use to further the economic development and advancement of your country.  Finally, let these boats be a symbol of the commitment of the US Government and people of the United States to the ongoing development of Sierra Leone.