Anti-poaching ship M/V John Paul DeJoria christened in Miami with a bottle of Patron

The M/V John Paul Dejoria, named after the billionaire businessman and philanthropist, was unveiled in Miami last week at the Epic Marina, becoming the first ship to be christened with a bottle of tequila over the bow from the Dejoria-owned Patron Spirits Co.

The 110-foot Island-class fast patrol boat was launched by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the direct-action marine conservation non-profit featured on Animal Planet’s Whale Wars and Ocean Warriors.

Dejoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products, is a longtime supporter and hosted the event with Sea Shepherd CEO Captain Paul Watson.

“We are proud to launch a new ship and proud to have it bear the name of John Paul DeJoria,” Captain Watson said. “This ship’s mission is to save the lives of sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles and all other species in the sea being ruthlessly and illegally killed by poachers. John Paul has a passion for life and for conservation that will be reflected in the future actions of this fast-long range patrol vessel.”

“From the top of the highest mountain to the bottom of our deepest sea, all of earth’s creatures deserve to thrive, not barely survive,” added DeJoria.

The vessel is a former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat and first joined Sea Shepherd’s fleet a couple of years ago under a different name and paint job. Its first task will be an anti-shark finning mission, per the press release.

It’s currently docked at the slip at Museum Park by American Airlines Arena.