No yacht break-ins reported since deployment of Bequia patrol boat

Residents of Bequia are said to be reacting positively to the deployment of the long awaited patrol boat along their coastline.{{more}}

Herman Belmar, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs, told SEARCHLIGHT that since the deployment of the vessel some two months ago, all stakeholders of the yachting and tourism industry would agree that the numbers of yacht break-ins and robberies have been reduced to almost nil.

“I have not heard any reports over the last two months of any yachts being molested – if there were, then it was not reported to me,” Belmar said.

He is of the opinion that the Coastguard officers manning the vessel are doing a good job.

Area representative Dr Godwin Friday also said he is pleased that the vessel had finally been making its rounds.

“I have been asking for this; a lot of people in the community have been asking for this for a very long time,” he said.

“It has taken a long time to come, but we are looking forward to having it function as we expect,” Friday continued.

He said it must be ensured that there are competent people manning the vessel, who do their best to ensure that the number of break-ins and robberies are reduced, so that visitors can leave their boats and come ashore and enjoy what they came here to do.

Friday expressed concern in relation to the times that the patrols are being conducted.

Friday said the opinion voiced by many is that the vessel should make patrols as needed, and particularly now that more boats are in the bay as the Easter Regatta festivities are about to get underway.

But the area representative said he had spoken to some taxi operators, among other stakeholders in the tourism industry, and they are all pleased with the progress that had been made.

The announcement that the patrol boat had been deployed was made at the March 11 sitting of the House of Assembly by Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie.

According to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the delay in the deployment of the patrol boat was caused as civil servants had failed to purchase an outboard engine that was required, although a special warrant had been signed to facilitate the purchase of the item.

McKie said that the ultimate goal was to bring the number of yacht break-ins to zero.

He said that a number of other initiatives had also been implemented, including the addition of lights along the waterfront at Port Elizabeth, and the introduction of water skis.

McKie said that he hoped that the increased presence of the Port Authority and police would eliminate acts of criminality.

He did express one concern relating to the judicial system and the need to ensure that stiffer penalties are handed down to offenders.

According to McKie, the judiciary is independent from the government, but stiffer penalties would deter persons from committing such criminal acts. (DD)