By Leroy Smith
![The Metal Sharks with their 500 Horse Power engines makes its debut on the Demerara River. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GDF-.jpg)
The Metal Shark Boats which have been built in the United States is equipped with sensitive communication equipment. The boats will be used for searching, waterborne ambush and night movement.
Additionally, insertion, extraction, assaults, blocking action, convoy support, high transit protection and containment are among the other services which can be provided by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard Unit with the use of the boats.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, United States Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt, pointed out that the boats are the first US built boats to be used by the GDF.
According to the US Ambassador, the provision of the boats also form part of the cooperation between nations as part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative which was announced by the United States President Barack Obama at the 2009 Summit of the Americas.
![One of the Metal Shark Boats in the Demerara River as its crew salutes President Donald Ramotar and the High Command of the GDF. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GDF-Patrol-.jpg)
Meanwhile, Commander- in – Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar reminded that Guyana has a long relationship with the US on security matters.
The President told the gathering that he is confident that the boats will make a valuable contribution to the work of the security forces in Guyana and while Guyana is still a poor country with much needs to be fulfilled, above those needs are the need to ensure that the nation is secured and its people are protected.
