Since it’s inception in 2004, The Coast Guard has moved from strength to strength and it’s gone from a rather modest profile to the big time – where it is seen as a legitimate and present enforcer. And much of that has been enabled by its partnership with the United States Government – who chooses to guard Belize’s water because drugs manufactured in South America pass through Belize’s waters to get to the U.S., the largest drug market in the world.
Now they are teaming up to build a new headquarters for the Coast Guard. Previously they were boxed up at the Williamson Hangar at Price Barracks – which meant a time consuming much delayed deployment. Now, the new location sees them right at the sea-front, at Belizean Beach. Ground was broken for the new 3 million dollar facility today and we were there.
Cedric Borland, Commandant – Belize Coast Guard
“This new facility on completion will provide the centralized command and control for all administrative,
operational, logistical functions for the Coast Guard. This includes the engineering maintenance workshop, living quarters, kitchen and dining facilities for duty personnel. This facility will have a backup diesel generator in addition to two three thousand gallon fuel tanks for gasoline and diesel, a three hundred feet reinforced pier and ramp for launching and recovering vessels. The location of this headquarter facility is ideal to overlook the shipping activities within the harbour and its centrally located for quick emergency response for search and rescue within the central zone and to support operations anywhere within the maritime domain. In about 18 months we will be right back here at this location to open the doors and tour that facility.”
Gen. Lloyd Gillett, CEO – Ministry of National Security
“The base will also serve as a joint operational manning facility for maritime operations for security forces including the BDF and the police who have been working along with the Coast Guard to strengthen our response capabilities against trans-national threats such as drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, legal migration, trafficking in persons, terrorisms, and illegal fishing. These transnational threats disrupt our economic growth and social wellbeing.”
