April 2, 2026 – Fajardo, Puerto Rico – Three new, state-of-the-art “Metal Shark” tactical vessels will begin preventive patrol operations along Puerto Rico’s coastal areas starting today, including beaches and natural reserves in the eastern region of the Island. The announcement was made by Governor Jenniffer González Colón, alongside Fajardo Mayor José Aníbal Meléndez-Méndez, Speaker of the House Carlos 'Johnny' Méndez-Núñez, and Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), Waldemar Quiles-Pérez.
“Prevention is essential to safeguarding both our natural ecosystems and the lives of those who enjoy them. As a former Resident Commissioner, we secured funding for critical public safety equipment, and since taking office in January 2025, we have continued working to expand and modernize these resources. These three new vessels—equipped with the ‘Police Package’ utilized by the Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA)—will significantly enhance the surveillance and enforcement capabilities of DNER personnel,” the Governor stated.
Secretary Quiles-Pérez expressed appreciation for the administration’s commitment to strengthening enforcement capacity. “I want to thank our Governor for her continued support in equipping our rangers with the most advanced tools available. These three vessels address a critical need and will allow us to expand preventive patrols across all natural reserves and public beaches under the Department’s jurisdiction,” he said.
Mayor Meléndez-Méndez also welcomed the investment, emphasizing its regional impact. “I am grateful to the Governor and the entire Natural Resources team. This is an important day for maritime safety. Although one vessel will be based in Ceiba, it will serve the entire region—including Vieques, Culebra, Fajardo, Ceiba, and Luquillo—strengthening safety across our coastal communities,” he noted.
Speaker Méndez-Núñez, who represents District 36 (Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques, and Culebra), underscored the importance of the new assets. “This is precisely the type of investment needed to enhance safety for residents and visitors in our coastal areas. Two of these units will be stationed in the eastern region, supplementing existing resources and increasing preventive patrol efforts that are essential to protecting our environment and saving lives. I thank the Governor and the Secretary for this important initiative,” he said.
The new vessels will be assigned to maritime units in Salinas, Ceiba, and San Juan (Piñones).
One vessel was acquired at a cost of $609,568, funded through the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries, with funding increases secured in 2022 by then-Resident Commissioner González Colón. The remaining two vessels were acquired at a cost of $619,568 each through the State Recreational Boating Safety Program administered by the United States Coast Guard.
Each 36-foot tactical vessel features a 10.6-foot beam and a 30-foot draft, with hulls constructed from aluminum alloy. The units are powered by three 300-horsepower Suzuki outboard engines and include a 400-gallon aluminum fuel tank.
All vessels are equipped with a comprehensive “Police Package,” including advanced satellite systems, Horizon radio, GPS navigation, chart plotting systems, dual 12-inch monitors, depth finder, digital and analog compass, siren, emergency lighting, and a 12-inch Garmin Coastal radar.
The vessels come with a 10-year hull warranty, three-year engine warranty, and one-year warranty on the Police Package. Each unit has capacity for eight rangers. Captain training was conducted by FURA personnel in collaboration with technical staff from Millennium Sail and Services. The vessels are fully insured and equipped with transport trailers.
