Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Fisheries Service
- Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2005

PV MAINE COMMISSIONED BY THE MAINE MARINE PATROL THE 42-FOOT VESSEL WAS PURCHASED WITH NOAA FUNDS

On September 13, 2005, Maine Marine Patrol commissioned their newest patrol vessel, the PV Maine. The vessel, based out of the U.S. Coast Guard station in Jonesport, was launched last month and immediately pressed into service patrolling the Down East area of Maine.

Approximately 30 people gathered for the commissioning ceremony; including members of the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Marines Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) Office for Law Enforcement personnel, Maine Marine Patrol (MMP) and representatives from U.

Maine is a 42-foot vessel that was originally built in 2002 by WESMAC for a Portland individual who used it as a tuna fishing yacht. The boat was purchased for $490,000 dollars, since then many modifications have been made to the boat.

“The stern was opened up so that we can safely haul and reset large lobster trap trawls as well as to carry a ridge hull inflatable to enable us to board fishing vessels in weather conditions that wouldn’t allow us to safely go along side,” said Commander Lt. Alan Talbot, Maine Marine Patrol – Division II. “The hydraulic hauling system was upgraded to enable us to safely haul large trap trawls that are heavily weighted in the Grand Manan Channel. A heating system was added to enable us to go to sea year around. Deck tiles were added to the main deck as well as numerous other small details to make the vessel as safe and workable as possible.”

The boat was purchased through a Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) between with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Maine Marine Patrol.

A JEA is a cooperative agreement between agencies in order to increase enforcement of federal fisheries on shore and at sea. By granting funds to the state agencies, National Fisheries OLE is able to broaden the reach of its fisheries capabilities to protect and preserve resources.

MMP Senior Chief Mark Murray has been assigned as the boat’s captain. Before coming to Marine Patrol, Murray built his career with the United States Coast Guard where he attained the rank of Senior Chief. He has experience in handling the operation of both small and large watercraft.

The Maine will be vital in near shore patrols, allowing larger Coast Guard vessels to concentrate on rougher waters further out at sea. The boat has 24 hour, seven-day-a-week capabilities, and the ability to stay at sea for three to four days at a time.

The Maine replaced the 35-foot Sentinel which redeployed moved to the Cobscook Bay area. This change now allows more of the Down East coast to be covered.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries, please visit: www.nmfs.noaa.gov.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the
U.S. Commerce Department is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with our federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global Earth observation network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.