Youths develop new skills at Coast Guard

For the 16th consecutive year, the Coast Guard is providing youths drawn from various parts of St.Vincent and the Grenadines with an opportunity to use their summer vacation to learn a wide range of skills critical for their development.{{more}}

Like the previous years, this year’s programme is being held in three phases, courtesy the National Commercial Bank St.Vincent Ltd and Sagicor.

The first phase of the annual Coast Guard Youth Development Summer Programme started in earnest on Monday, July 20th, 2009, and concluded on Friday, July 24th. The second phase will commence on July 27 and will run until tomorrow, August 1, while the third phase will take place during the period August 10-August 15.

This year’s participants will be trained in Navigation/Seamanship, Substance Abuse Prevention, Conflict Resolution, Personal Development, Boat Handling, Leadership Development, Conservation, Knots & Splices, Human Sexuality, Safety at Sea, Craft Work, Solid Waste Management, First Aid, and Swimming.

Chief Petit Officer Vinton John, Coordinator of the Programme for the sixth year, spoke at length during the opening ceremony about safety measures the participants between the ages of 14-18 must take to ensure an incident free programme.

He also encouraged the participants to take stock of their lives and to value themselves, so that they may become productive individuals who can make a worthwhile contribution to the society.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Coast Guard Commander, Lieutenant Deon Henry, reminded the teenagers that they were very fortunate to have been accepted into the programme because of the large number of persons who had applied. Henry said the Coast Guard has benefitted from previous summer programmes as some of the persons who participated are now members of the Coast Guard. He urged the participants to consider a career in the Coast Guard.

Cheryl Rodriguez, representing the National Commercial Bank St.Vincent Limited, and Stanley Browne, representing Sagicor, presented cheques for EC$4,500 each to the programme. NCB took the decision this year to increase their sponsorship from EC$4,000 to $4, 500.

Rodriguez expressed that her organization is pleased to be associated with the programme. She told the students that they are never too old to learn and to focus on qualities that would build character.

Browne also had high praises for the programme. He added that Sagicor is pleased to be associated with it for another year and congratulated the Coast Guard for the quality and longevity of the exercise.

The curtains will come down on this year’s programme on August 23.(HN)