The Leopardess is back from the Netherlands where it has been given a comprehensive refit – costing around £850,000.

The work initially had a budget of £600,00 and Home Affairs said it is “conscious that there is likely to be some criticism of the increased cost”.

The refurbishment means the marine-response vessel (pictured in a stock image above) has been ‘future proofed’ and is now fully compliant with maritime safety regulations.

The bill will be paid out of the Seized Asset Fund.

Home Affairs said it is now “satisfied that investing in this asset, which will perform a pivotal role in ensuring the security and protection of our borders, represents value for money, particularly when compared to the significantly higher cost of purchasing a new vessel, which would have been in the region of £2.8million”.

Claire Eley, Associate Director of Justice and Regulation, said: “The work that has been undertaken, since September, to refit the Leopardess has been extensive and necessary to deliver a fit for purpose vessel that complies with the relevant standards expected in law. The vessel will be a valuable asset to the States of Guernsey. It will be used by a whole range of teams across government to protect the Bailiwick’s waters and carry out work at sea. Without it, the States would simply not have the maritime capability to do this work.”

Law Enforcement will be the primary users of the vessel, however it will also serve a role for Sea Fisheries, and several other teams, said Damian Kitchen, Head of Law Enforcement.

“Protecting and policing our borders across the Bailiwick presents unique challenges, and it is crucial that we have the capability to be able to quickly deploy to incidents and reported activity around the shoreline, on the smaller islands or carry out maritime operations including with our UK, French and Channel Island colleagues. As just one example, I understand the Leopardess is now a remote TETRA radio platform to ensure we have communications wherever we need them; the importance of which cannot be overstated. I’m pleased that the work has been completed and that we have the vessel back, and intend that teams across Law Enforcement will start putting it to good use very soon. This will include consulting with stakeholders as to how to maximise the investment the States has rightly committed to the vessel.”