More women enlisting in Coast Guard Service

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard is seeing an increase in the number of women joining the service, particularly in the technical department.

The performance of women was highlighted during a September 12, 2024 edition of Cop Chat on WEFM on the topic ‘Training the next generation of Coast Guard Engineers’.

The radio discussion came on the heels of a two-week Basic Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Course which saw a dozen members of the Coast Guard graduate, with two of the three women enrolled in the course graduating at the top of the class.

“In the technical department, the number of females is growing, and it is growing at a rapid rate. They are competitive and they are applying themselves. They are welcomed,” Petty Officer, Renrick Gibson said. He said despite the increase, the Coast Guard still continues to be a male-dominated organization.

The Petty Officer also said that during the training programme, the female participants show tremendous aptitude.

“I must highlight the females because they were very inquisitive, asking questions, they were in the forefront where the technical aspects are concerned. From the outset, I know that the females most likely would’ve topped the course because when the material was being delivered…one thing I noticed with the females is that they would take down every single detail of notes. That was commendable. That highlights how much the females would’ve applied themselves.”

The training programme, which was done through a partnership with the Regional Security System (RSS), Trinidad and Tobago, the US, and administered by local instructors, covered several areas including basic electrical processes, troubleshooting, outboard engines, and generators.

One of the course participants, Ordinary Seaman, Litonya John, said Coast Guard women recognize, and are willing, to push themselves hard to be on the same level as their male counterparts.

“As an organization that is male-dominated, we females have to put not 100 [percent], but 130 percent because we have to put our best foot forward so we can be up to par with the senior males that are currently in the organization.”

Petty Officer Gibson said the Coast Guard has actively been working toward improving the technical skill set of officers and has capitalized on the offerings of the TVET programme, as well as collaborations with regional organizations including the Regional Security System, and programmes offered in other Caribbean territories.

“From inception, when the Coast Guard was formed in 1980…our vision has remained the same…, to have a cadre of young men who are trained so we can have that continuity in the Coast Guard.”

He said the main goal of technical training is to ensure that skills are passed on to those entering the organization as well as guaranteeing more “up time” for vessels.