Having entered the police service in 2015, at the height of the fishing dispute with Spanish fishermen and having served its purpose in other policing activities, the Sir William Jackson has recently been transferred to the Gibraltar Port Authority. The vessel, which is an HMGoG asset, provides an excellent opportunity for the Port Authority to extend their operational activities in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and delivers the prospect of good VfM by extending the vessel’s capability.

Commissioner of Police Ian McGrail said that the transfer was achieved “through meaningful discussions with the acting Captain of the Port Manuel Tirado, by understanding organisational capabilities and capacities, but most importantly through collaboration, with the aim of providing a better service to all sea going activities in and around Gibraltar.”

For his part, Manuel Tirado CEO/Captain of the Port (AG) said: “the transfer of this asset underpins the excellent collaboration which exists between the agencies with a maritime remit in Gibraltar. The vessel will be serviced at Gibdock as part of the conversion for its new tasking, following which it is expected to be operational for the GPA in the coming weeks.”