The Bago Region Government has commissioned a new high-speed patrol boat aimed at bolstering security, law enforcement, and rescue efforts along the Ayeyawady River. The vessel was officially handed over to the Bago Region Police Force on August 1 during a ceremony held on the riverbank in Pyay.

Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win presented the boat to Police Colonel Tin Myo Htoo, the commander of the regional police force, as part of the government’s ongoing measures to combat illegal goods transport and enhance operational capabilities for disaster response.

Valued at over K180 million, the fibre-glass boat measures 27 feet in length, nine feet in width, and stands 4.5 feet high, with a draught of one foot. It is equipped with a Suzuki DF-200A engine imported from Japan, which provides the vessel with the speed and power needed for efficient patrol and rescue missions on the river.

The acquisition underscores the region’s commitment to strengthening maritime security and improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies to maintain order on the vital waterway, which plays a crucial role in local trade and transportation. The boat is expected to serve multiple functions, including intercepting illegal activities and supporting emergency and disaster rescue operations along the Ayeyawady.