Wheaton o’thorp center: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) made a milestone when it officially received the Ex-United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) ‘Steadfast’ at Wheaton O’Thorp Center (WOTC) in the United States (US) today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah described the receiving of Ex-USCG Cutter Steadfast as symbolic of the strong cooperative ties between Malaysia and the US, particularly between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and USCG. ‘The Coast Guard Cutter will begin its maiden voyage with a new crew that will record its own history as the longest and furthest voyage ever undertaken in the history of MMEA, by crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, Red Sea, Suez Canal and Indian Ocean.

‘This new asset is expected to enhance the capabilities of MMEA in ensuring the security of the country’s maritime zones, in addition to expanding the scope of cooperation between Malaysia and the US in areas of training, technical exchange and capacity-building,’ he said in a statement.

Earlier, James Knight, deputy chief acquisition officer and director of Domain and Integration Services at USCG, signed the Certificate of Transfer and handed over the Ex-USCG Cutter Steadfast to Admiral Mohd Rosli in a ceremony witnessed by Home Ministry (KDN) secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman. Also present were Malaysian Ambassador to the US Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, director of the Maritime Intelligence Division, First Admiral Datuk Md Fauzi Othman and director of the Maritime Criminal Investigation Division, First Admiral Shahref Steve Mac Queen Abdullah.

According to the same statement, Knight in his speech at the ceremony said the vessel handed over (transferred to Malaysia via a US Foreign Military Sales Programme agreement) was commissioned in 1968 and has served with distinction for 56 years (decommissioned in 2024). He expressed hope that the presence of this ship in the MMEA fleet would bolster the nation’s maritime security.

Meanwhile, a total of 50 crew consisting of nine officers and 41 MMEA personnel received a Certificate of Completion of Training after finishing an intensive seven-week programme for operating the 210′ Reliance Class Medium Endurance Cutter (MEC).