Grenadines now have full-time police patrol boat

Full-time patrols are now being conducted on the waters around the Grenadine Island of Bequia.{{more}}

Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie announced in the House of Assembly on Monday that a patrol boat had been deployed in Bequia, after almost two years of delays.

The deployment of a patrol boat had been among recommendations made at a meeting of stakeholders in November 2011, which had been convened to find solutions to the problem of yacht break-ins which had been occurring on the island.

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves, at the November 28, 2012 meeting of Parliament, responing to a question posed by the area representative for the Northern Grenadines, Dr Godwin Friday, blamed civil servants for the delay in the deployment of the patrol boat, saying they did not act with any urgency in purchasing the required engine for the vessel.

Friday wanted to know what was being done to protect yachts anchored off Bequia, one year after a series of break-ins prompted a meeting between tourism stakeholders in Bequia and state officials.

Gonsalves responded that although Godfred Pompey, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, had requested that a special warrant to facilitate the purchase of the engine be prepared, the document had a “long gestation period” at the Ministry of Finance.

The Prime Minister explained that an engine which had been available, was sold by the time the paperwork had been prepared.

Gonsalves also told Parliament that two patrol vessels lent to the Coastguard by the Customs Department had been damaged.

He said one of three boats donated to be used by the Customs was lent to the Coastguard to assist them with patrols.

“I was told very swiftly that one was damaged — they lent them a second one; it was also damaged and is now being repaired,” the prime minister said.

But McKie said on Monday that a patrol boat was now being manned by two Coastguard officers and was making patrols on a full-time basis.

“I know the honourable [member] for the Northern Grenadines had some concerns which he voiced in Parliament,” the minister said, adding that he was sure that Friday would now acknowledge the presence of the patrol boat.

This, he said, would assist in denting the number of burglaries which occurred on Bequia.

“And we have seen some positive responses to this initiative,” McKie said.

The minister also said the boat’s patrols are being complemented by regular patrols by the Coastguard. (DD)