In a significant move to bolster Libya’s maritime security, the country’s Coast Guard and Port Security received three ‘GAT’ class rescue boats from Italian and European Union authorities. The donation is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the respective parties in Tripoli on 28th January last year.
The formal handover of the boats was marked by an event attended by the head of the Coast Guard, who signed the receipt and delivery records for the boats. This was announced in a statement by the General Staff of the Government of National Unity on its official Facebook page on Thursday.
These new boats are set to be operational immediately, based at the Tripoli Naval Base after arriving from Italy. They will be manned by officers and non-commissioned officers from the Coast Guard who received specialized training in Italy, according to the statement.
The statement added that these units would carry out maritime rescue operations in Libyan sovereign and jurisdictional waters, supporting rescue work off the Libyan coast.
All these measures are part of a broader plan to strengthen national institutions, including the Port and Maritime Transport Service, the Civil Aviation Authority, the National Oil Corporation, the Ministry of Maritime Wealth, and other related entities.
By improving the capacity of the Libyan Coast Guard, this initiative aims to ensure more efficient maritime rescue operations, greater security for Libyan waters, and robust support for related national entities. The collaboration between Libya and international partners like Italy and the European Union marks a significant step in Libya’s journey toward increased maritime security and overall national resilience.
