PHILIPSBURG:--- Marine ship Zr.Ms. Friesland in a joint action with the St. Maarten Coast Guard intercepted a go-fast during a patrol in the Caribbean Sea, in the night hours of August 14, 2018 into the morning hours of August 15th, 2018.
Three sailors were arrested and later handed over to authorities on Sint Maarten. The go-fast was spotted suspiciously parked next to another vessel, which triggered the notion that a possible contraband exchange was taking place.
As the go-fast began to sail off in another direction, the maritime NH90 helicopter on the marine ship began following it. The Commander of the Friesland declared the go-fast stateless when no form of identification could be seen.
After ignoring warning signals, the Commander gave instructions to fire warning shots from the NH90 helicopter. Subsequently the sharpshooter aboard the NH90 disabled the engine of the go-slow.
The Friesland together with a team from the coast guard launched 2 FRISCs. The Coast Guard vessel Poema towed the go-fast to the headquarters. A thorough search for contraband was carried out at sea, however nothing was found, resulting in the release of the three suspects.
