The Defense Ministry has handed over three patrol boats equipped with advanced technological systems to the Vietnam Marine Police Department.

The handover was conducted at a ceremony held in the northern port city of Hai Phong on Monday by the ministry’s General Department for Defensive Industry.

The boats, with number codes CSB 2015, CSB 2016 and CSB 8003, are able to transmit data and images rapidly to the information center of the Marine Police Department inland through a satellite system.

Both CSB 2015 and CSB 2016 are 47.55 meters long, have a displacement of 280 tons, and can travel at 22.3 nautical miles per hour.

CSB 8003 is larger, with a length of 81.5 meters and a displacement of 1,400 tons, but its top speed is lower, at 20.7 nautical miles per hour.

All three boats can withstand rough weather conditions at sea, such as level eight waves. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung said that the three vessels will increase the strength of the country’s marine police force, help improve its efficiency in checking and controlling activities at sea and help protect the fatherland’s continental shields and sovereignty.

They will also detect, prevent and handle acts that violate the laws of the sea, contribute to the fight against maritime environmental pollution, protect natural resources and take part in search and rescue activities at sea.

In addition, they will cooperate internationally to maintain order, security, peace and stability in every country’s waters, Cung said.

He noted that marine police staff must be well trained in how to use the advanced equipment and facilities on these boats to improve their operating efficiency.