CBP in final stages of upgrading marine vessel fleet

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is in the final stages of upgrading and modernizing its marine vessel fleet.

The AMO contractually accepted its final 41-Foot SAFE Boat Coastal Interceptor Vessel (CIV) on Dec. 15. The vessel slated to arrive at AMO’s San Diego Air and Marine Branch in early 2022.

The $48.4 million for 52 41-foot CIVs was awarded to SAFE Boats International, authorities noted, with the initial vessel being delivered five years ago.

The overarching goal, per the CBP, was to enhance and integrate business and resource functions across AMO. Part of that involves streamlining aircraft and vessel acquisition and installing technology applications. To carry this out, AMO sought to replace and upgrade its fleet of Midnight Express vessels.

AMO’s scope of work, according to CBP officials, involves conducting missions in air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, in addition to within the nation’s interior. The division is also responsible for interdicting unlawful people and cargo approaching domestic borders, investigating criminal networks and providing domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, the CPB noted.

AMO enforcement actions resulted in 1,066 arrests and 47,872 apprehensions of undocumented individuals in Fiscal Year 2020, according to the CBP.