A BORDER FORCE vessel that will be used to tackle illegal activity on the west coast of Scotland was in Oban on Friday.
The Oban Times was given the opportunity to test drive the new coastal patrol vessel (CPV) in the Sound of Kerrera. The CPV can travel at up to 32 knots and will be used to access marinas and beaches where waters are shallow.
Doug McLellan, acting head of Border Force Maritime Command, said: ‘This vessel will patrol hundreds of miles of coastline using intelligence and international partnership to tackle illegal activity at the border. It will help secure the UK border by carrying out customs and immigration controls for people and goods entering the UK. This is the first coastal patrol vessel to operate in Scotland and will support existing maritime capabilities.’