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Frontex takes 1st step towards a European Coast Guard with OPVs from Finland Romania & France

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Maritime Security News - Europe
 
 
 
Frontex takes 1st step towards a European Coast Guard with OPVs from Finland Romania & France
 
Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has called on EU member states and Schengen Associated Countries to provide officers for the newly adopted European Coast Guard Functions Officer profile, paving the way for the deployment of multi-national crews in the agency’s maritime operations.
     
Frontex European Coast GuardFinnish Merikarhu is expected to be the first vessel in a Frontex joint operation with a multi-national crew
     
Starting next year, Frontex will deploy three off-shore patrol vessels (OPVs) from Finland, Romania and France, which will have multi-national European crews for the first time. Currently, member states provide vessels, along with their own crews, to participate in Frontex joint operations.

“This marks a tangible step in our transformation into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. This solution will allow us to be more effective when assisting member states at the EU’s external maritime borders,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.

“This will allow member states to provide vessels with a core crew for a longer period of time without the need to commit a large number of officers. The rest of the crew will come from other member states in a true spirit of European cooperation at sea,” he added.

Frontex has called on member states to submit offers for officers to take part in the new concept by 15 December 2016.