Three years after it was established, graduation ceremony was held for the first recruits of the Belize National Coast Guard Service. The passing out parade was impressive and well attended by official delegates, family and friends of the graduates. Initially there were a total of one hundred and fifteen applicants but only forty were chosen to qualify to become a member of the Belize Coast Guard. Thirty two managed to complete the intense three month training programme. We have the following highlights.
Cedric Borland, Commandant - Coast Guard
“This is a major achievement for us. For the past three years we have been capacity building. We’ve been acquiring new equipment, we’ve been improving on our infrastructure and now we’re improving on human resource.
Actually out commitment is also increasing. You have heard about the new facility at Calabash Caye that we are about to inaugurate. That will be done in February next year. That calls for more manpower and more vessels out there and we are also looking forward to the construction of a new headquarters in the area of Belizean Beach. Again that will call for more manpower and so this is the first phase of our human resource development.
As a matter of fact at this time we have one woman in the Coast Guard. However in the next intake which we are looking forward to for next year, we can expect to see women coming in. Actually we are looking at getting some facilities that will be accommodate women.”
Hon. Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“You have chosen to wear the uniform of your country and risk all
that you have and all that you are in our wellbeing. Thank you for the courage you display as you take up the challenge of becoming an integral part of our security forces.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What made you decide to leave a career of teaching and entering one where of course your life will be put at risk?
Darwin McCullough, Recipient - Champion Award
“In regards to the teaching I know that it is a lot of dedication and hard work and you have to put yourself to accomplish what you want. I decided to challenge the Coast Guard because I believe I am a sort of an adventurous person. I would like to dedicate my time in doing things that I feel will benefit my country and I think the Coast Guard is an excellent choice.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What are the threats now confronting the National Coast Guard?
Cedric Borland,
“Well at sea we are particularly looking at things like drug trafficking, illegal fishing that is occurring out there and of recent we are also looking at groundings and damaged caused to the reef. Recently we had a few groundings on the reef and we’ve able to coordinate the other agencies in getting out there an dealing with it. One of our major commitments as a national search and rescue organization and we have been doing quite a lot of search and rescue. Over the last three months we were involved in four search and rescue missions.”
All thirty two graduates had to undergo seamanship training, personal discipline, drills, weapon handling and nautical training. As we reported, twenty six year old Darwin McCullough received the Champion Award for overall excellence. Twenty three year old Howard Cassasola was awarded Champion of Excellence in physical training. Twenty six year old Samuel Cho received the Champion Shot Award, twenty three year old Roberto Orellano got the Champion Award for nautical training and twenty year old Armando Cobb was Champion of Watermanship.
