TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) latest vessel has been stationed in Kinmen and will help with maritime law enforcement, rescue, and border patrol missions.

The coast guard on Thursday (Aug. 12) held a handover ceremony for the new 100-ton 10073 patrol boat at Kinmen’s Liaoluo Port, the Liberty Times reported. The vessel was commanded by Captain Lu Hao-ming (呂浩名) and was sprayed by a water cannon from a ship of the same class as a welcome ritual. The 10073 is the sixth boat of its class.

As the Chinese government lifted its seasonal fishing ban on Aug. 1, the new patrol boat arrived just in time to help safeguard Taiwan’s maritime border and boost the morale of CGA personnel.

The CGA Kinmen branch said the 10073 has a maximum range of 2,222 kilometers and is equipped with a small motorized raft that has a maximum speed of 53.7 kph for as long as 2 hours. When necessary, the raft can assist with rescues and shallow water operations.

The patrol boat has an excellent hull structure and power system, which will allow the CGA to carry out its duties during monsoon season, per the Liberty Times.

Additionally, the branch said that depending on the situation, it will deploy larger frigates to support fishery protection and patrol missions. This will safeguard the nation’s fishery resources in the area and ensure the rights, interests, and property of Taiwan are protected.