Following Sunday’s incidents at sea, the Chief Minister accompanied His Excellency the Governor on a visit to the RGP Marine Section where he congratulated officers for their professionalism and courage when faced by the aggressive actions of smugglers.

‘In the past, the Marine section relied largely on confiscated smugglers’ boats but this Government has provided the Section with brand new vessels, state-of-the-art technology and with purposebuilt premises at Gun Wharf,’ said the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC. ‘The Commissioner of Police knows that, if there is a need for additional resources to improve his officers’ security and safety, I am always there to assist. In addition, this Government has fostered the RGP’s cooperation with the Gibraltar Defence Police, something that was not encouraged by the previous administration. Nonetheless, there is still the need for courage, professionalism and high quality seamanship. I congratulate the officers of the RGP Marine Section for displaying all these qualities in the difficult and dangerous circumstances in which they regularly find themselves’.