San Diego, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations is close to finalizing the upgrading and modernizing of its marine vessel fleet by accepting delivery on the final 41-Foot SAFE Boat Coastal Interceptor Vessel. AMO contractually accepted its final CIV on December 15. The vessel will arrive at AMO’s San Diego Air and Marine Branch in early 2022.

An important goal of AMO’s Vision and Strategy 2030 is to enhance and integrate business and resource functions across AMO. Part of that goal is to streamline aircraft and vessel acquisition and installation of technology applications. In order to accomplish this in the maritime environment, AMO set out to replace and upgrade its fleet of Midnight Express vessels. 

The acquisition contract, valued at $48.4 million for 52 41-foot CIVs, was awarded to SAFE Boats International. The first vessel was delivered in 2016.  

With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border as well as within the nation's interior. 

AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks, and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments. 

In Fiscal Year 2020, AMO enforcement actions resulted in 1,066 arrests and 47,872 apprehensions of undocumented individuals as well as the seizure or disruption of 194,220 pounds of cocaine, 278,492 pounds of marijuana, 15,985 pounds of methamphetamine, 952 weapons and $51.5 million. 

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond.