Reims Vigilant Cessna F-406 Caravan II Patrol Aircraft Arriving at Inverness Airport. SCO 11,232.
The SFPA also have two surveillance aircraft, both Reims Vigilant F-406, based at Inverness Airport. The aircraft are operated by Directflight under contract. The main tasks of the aerial surveillance aircraft are to: Validate the UK VMS system Monitor the activities of fishing vessels not equipped with VMS (less than 15m length) Patrol the increasing number of sea areas closed to fishing operations either to protect fish stocks or the habitats contained within an area. Monitor fishing activities in the international waters adjacent to UK fishery limits and under the control of NEAFC, particular to detect and deter IUU fishing. The Marine Sea Fisheries Inspectorate (SFI) consists of a fleet of 3 Fishery Protection Vessels (FPVs) in service as of 2012. A fleet renewal programme to replace the ageing Sulisker type began in 2003 with the delivery of the first Minna type, followed by the Jura type in 2005. It was originally intended to upgrade the fleet to 3 Jura type vessels and 2 Minna type vessels, however the renewal programme is under review by the Scottish Government. Scottish FPVs are not military ships and are not armed. They use the prefix FPV, and fly the SFPA's ensign. Scottish FPVs are responsible for the inspection of fishing vessels at sea in Scottish waters and Scottish vessels in the waters of other member states. The high profile of the fleet at sea acts as a deterrent against illegal fishing and is pivotal to the information informing the Real Time Closure (RTC) scheme. FPVs also contribute towards the UK's commitment to NEAFC, with annual patrols in the NEAFC area west of Rockall. Historically, additional Fishery Protection Vessels were provided by the Fishery Protection Squadron of the Royal Navy which was previously based at Rosyth. In 1994, the Agency determined that this assistance was no longer required and the Fishery Protection Squadron was moved to Portsmouth as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
Size: 5764px × 4245px
Location: Inverness Dalcross Airfield, Highland Region. Scotland. UK.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 262mph, agency, detection, fisheries, function, identification, ocean, patrol, pollution, protection, sar, scottish, speed, top-cover, transport, unarmed, vessel
