The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – Bicol distributed one patrol boat each to Tabaco City, Albay and to Camarines Sur towns of Pasacao, Ragay, Minalabac, San Fernando, Caramoan and San Jose as part of BFAR’s commitment through its recently concluded Fisheries Resource Management Project. These patrol boats will be instrumental in deterring illegal fishing activities in their respective municipal waters.

Caption: One of the patrol boats BFAR delivered by Bureau of Fishery & Aquatic Resources (BFAR)to seven Bicol towns.

        The patrol boat is a 45-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic banca type hull with outrigger, deck and foam-filled buoyancy compartments, inboard marine diesel engine and exhaust-driven turbo charger with 80 horsepower. The boat is equipped with a Geographical Positioning System (GPS) and a marine binocular. It is capable of achieving a top speed of 17 knots. It is also complete with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) equipment like life-vest tubes, life-vest rings, anchor, fluke type with lead chain, fire extinguisher, mooring line, search light and tools.

        Furthermore, twelve units of Kenwood TK 868 mobile radio complete with microphone, power cord and mounting accessories (for installation to their patrol boats) were given to the abovementioned towns. Other beneficiaries of the mobile radio set are the towns of Cabusao, Lagonoy, Tinambac, and Calabanga in Camarines Sur and Bacacay, Albay. A radio repeater was also installed at Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

        There are still eight more towns who will receive their patrol boats from BFAR. These are the towns of Lagonoy, Presentacion, and Cabusao in Camarines Sur; Juban, Casiguran and Magallanes in Sorsogon and one for Tiwi, Albay.

        Said patrol boat deliveries were coordinated by Mrs. Shirley Bea of BFAR Region 5 with the Local Government Units concerned as approved by BFAR-Bicol Director Jaime de la Vega. (rcanabe)