It's more than just a name change, it's a makeover and a facelift for the BDF Maritime Wing. At four this afternoon, its replacement, the Belize National Coast Guard Service was launched on Marine Parade in the Fort George Area. CEO in the Ministry of National Security Allan Usher says the transformation starts with the name change.
Allan Usher, CEO of National Security
"If you look at the boats, both of the boats, indeed the people in the Coast Guard Service are transferred from existing services. So the same operational expense in this phase, for this financial year, will carry over. This is an important investment in security, to manage the resources within our sea spaces. There's a lot of resource out there, Belize has a lot of resources at sea that's being exploited by other people. If we're able to manage that resource, if we're able to enforce Belizean power, then straight away we're looking at more revenue into the economy and we're looking at other programs. But it is wonderful that Belize now has a single entity to enforce all Belizean law at sea. Wherever the jurisdiction of Belize extends, which is to the 12 miles beyond the baseline, beyond the reef and atolls, we'll be able to constantly and professionally enforce our laws with this one organization. We have a lot of unsavory characters in our sea spaces running drugs, taking away our sea resources. Without a doubt, a country like Belize, with such a very large maritime space that we claim, we should be able to enforce it. So there are skeptics on every thing and it was once said, I heard it said, that people only throw stones on the mango tree that is bearing. Yes this is one that will bear and will serve Belize. We will ensure, as best we could, that they are a professional service, they have the best equipment, and really look after the interest of Belize."
At today's ceremonies the U.S. State Department handed over another Stinger type vessel to the Belize Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is composed of 58 volunteers from the BDF and the Police Department with most of the equipment handed over from the Maritime Wing.
