When it was established in 2005, the Belize National Coast Guard had only a fledgling fleet of vessels and was a Coast Guard in name more so than in practice.
Since then – and with a lot of support from the US Government - the Coast Guard has come into its own. It gained prominence in a number of high profile searches and rescue operations and with an upgraded fleet, its presence on the sea is well recognized.
And today, the Coast Guard made another significant transition as it had its first change of command.
The man who guided it through its nascence, Rear Admiral Cedric Borland handed over the reigns – and it happened with a great sense of ceremony. Here’s how it went.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
The Belize National Coast Guard now has a new commander, he is 39 year old Captain Johnnie Borland. He replaces retired Rear Admiral 49Year Old Cedric Borland, who has been credited for the successful establishment of the BNCG.
Borland’s departure comes only three and a half years after he was first approached to take on the responsibility to produce a well trained and equipped coast guard for the country.
The retired Rear Admiral, a former Commandant of the Belize Defence Force has 29 years of dedicated service to the country. And while many question the timing of Cedric Borland’s retirement according to the minister of national security Carlos Perdomo the former commandant’s contract had simply come to an end.
Carlos Perdomo – Minister Of National Security
“His working in the ministry as Commandant of the Coast Guard was on a contractual basis so when that came to the end we extended it a little while more and then we thought that it was time for the new commander to take over.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“So he was on contract. But why wasn’t his contract renewed, I mean he is only 49 years old and he has done so much,I mean he is highly skilled in the work that he has done here.
Carlos Perdomo – Minister Of National Security
If you will remember there is a tradition in the military not to keep you too long in years that is why he had retired from the BDF at forty five or something like that. There is an age limit in a lot of these military institutions in Belize.”
What now becomes of the retired Rear Admiral? Cedric Borland would not reveal to us what he now plans to do but only wished his cousin and successor all the best.
Cedric Borland – Retired Commandant,BNCG
“When I first started the Coast Guard we had a five year strategic plan and there were many other projects that we can look forward to the next year and a half and I am sure that Commander Borland, Captain Borland will follow through with those.”
“I knew at some point in time that I would have to leave, my purpose has been fulfilled, I came on as the project manager. My job was to establish a coast guard, harness all the support I can both locally and internationally and I think that I did an extremely good job looking back and I am all pleased with what I have done and I am now moving on.
And as former commandant…?
Cedric Borland – Retired Commandant,BNCG
“I did a good job, I knew that Johnnie Borland was all ready to take over so I decided that it was time and I moved on.”
Since the birth of the Belize Coast Guard on November 20th, 2005 it has grown from when it first started with sixty men and six vessels. Today there are eighty six men and women who serve in the BNCG with a recruit intake of thirty five, twelve vessels and a total of nine million dollars in infrastructure development and equipment.
Captain Johnnie Borland, a former officer of the Belize Defence Force has been serving as the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. Today this equally disciplined, trained and experienced officer is ready to take charge.
Cap. Johnnie Borland – Commandant, BNCG
“I intend to take the Coast Guard to new horizons. General Borland left a lot of projects and initiatives that I intend to continue to build on but of course my training and my knowledge base and my experience will influence my decisions and decisions make the changes in the coast guard. Of course, there are a lot of development to come and we have come a long way in four years but there is a whole new horizon out there that I intend to exploit fully.”
The new commandant of the Belize National Coast Guard Captain Johnnie Borland is married with three children. He is originally a farm boy from the Toledo district.
