U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) celebrates the unveiling of its newest operating location in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
The Caribbean Air and Marine Branch’s area of responsibility extends south to International waters of Venezuela, west to the Dominican Republic, and southeast to the Lesser Antilles.
“We have several satellite locations in Puerto Rico, but this new Marine Unit Facility provides us with a centralized location to more effectively conduct our mission to interdict drugs, and protect the American people,” said Johnny Morales, Director, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.
The Fajardo Marine Unit facility, which sits on nearly an acre of land, will accommodate 13 full time staff, runs on a permanent generator, and features a pier, and boat slips for AMO’s vessel fleet, including the new 41-foot SAFE Boat.
The newest vessel in the fleet incorporates technological advances in hull design, safety equipment and electronics packages, to enhance operational effectiveness. The new vessels have four 350 horsepower Mercury outboard engines, have a range of 350 nautical miles, and are capable of patrolling for 10 hours.
Today, AMO has approximately 1,800 federal employees, including 1,200 federal agents, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
