Leopardess Returns to Island Waters After Netherlands Refit

Friday 17 April 2026

The Leopardess has returned to island waters, after a comprehensive refit in the Netherlands. The vessel is an important States maritime asset, providing an essential marine-response capability for a number of services.

The final costs of the refurbishment works are still to be advised, but are in the region of £850,000, and have been funded from the Seized Asset Fund.  The Committee for Home Affairs, which managed the project, is conscious that there is likely to be some criticism of the increased cost of this project from the original budget of just under £600,000. The extra costs were incurred in order to future proof the vessel and be fully compliant with modern maritime safety regulations.

The Committee is 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.

For all intents and purposes, the Leopardess is 'as new', and the investment is expected to see it deliver a 25-year working life. Both engines were replaced, and a variety of new technology was fitted to the vessel to ensure it could carry out a range of functions.

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.

Damian Kitchen, Head of Law Enforcement, said:

"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."