Coastguard officers recognized for contribution to national security

Members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard must be commended for yeoman service to the country’s national security platform, says Commissioner of Police (Acting) Renold Hadaway.

Commissioner Hadaway, delivering remarks at the 36th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the SVG Coastguard Service at its Calliaqua base on Sunday, November 27, 2016,{{more}} said besides responding to incidents at sea when people’s lives become endangered, members of the Coastguard Service brave the rough seas each day to prevent illicit activities from taking place in Vincentian waters.

The Commissioner expressed the desire that area representative for East St George and Minister of Economic Planning Camillo Gonsalves, who was on hand to attend the ceremony, advocate for more resources for the Coastguard.

“We must salute the brave men and women of the Coastguard,” said Commissioner Hadaway.

Gonsalves, in his address said, “the Coastguard has to do quite a bit with few resources.” He said the work of the Coastguard has become more challenging over the years.

The Minister said besides providing a service which caters for a burgeoning tourist industry, the Coastguard has to defend the country’s waters against dangerous people who exploit the country’s location between the supplier of drugs in the south and those who demand it in the north for transhipment purposes.

He said those two issues, along with the matter of climate change, makes the role of the Coastguard more critical.

Gonsalves said while the Coastguard performs quietly in keeping St Vincent and the Grenadines safe, its service is sometimes thankless.

The anniversary service was held under the theme: ‘Integrity, Loyalty, Discipline, Team Work, Respect, Devotion to Duty’.

Following the remarks, a praise and worship session was held and the programme concluded after a sermon by Pastor Nolan James. (Police Public Relations)