U.S. Department of State
96/03/01 Statement: "Go-Fast" Boats for Trinidad & Tobago
Office of the Spokesman

The United States will commemorate the turn-over of four "go-fast" boats from the United States Government to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on March 4 at the port in Port of Spain. The purpose of the donation of these vessels is to help the Government of Trinidad and Tobago improve its capability to interdict drug smuggling on the high seas. The turn-over will be witnessed by Prime Minister Panday, members of the Trinidadian government, Coast Guard, and Defense Force.

The four vessels are: 35-foot Cigarette, 34-foot Wellcraft, 35- foot Rabco, and 32-foot Scorpion. These vessels were made available by the U.S. Customs Service and were transferred to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago last December. The Rabco and Scorpion were seized and forfeited, while the Cigarette and Wellcraft were deemed excess property. The U.S. Congress was notified and approved the transfer, valued at approximately $310,000.

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