A new safe boat was donated to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard this week to help reinforce security on the country’s seascape.

The safe boat is the third vessel donated to the country through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, an agreement launched in 2009 between the United States of America and Caribbean territories to address threats that include drug, illegal weapon and human trafficking.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

“In so far as the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard is concerned, we have benefitted immensely from this initiative,” Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said in his address at the handing over ceremony on Monday. “This will help us to protect our borders and protect the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Gonsalves, who is also the minister with responsibility for national security, said that it was extremely important that the coast guard be able to secure its borders. He added that it was necessary to partner with countries like the USA, the United Kingdom, France and Canada to ensure this type of safety.

Linda Taglialatela, the United States ambassador for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

And he issued a warning to criminals who would try to break the law by trafficking illegal goods by sea.

“Just in case, fellas who have their 150 horse power, you know they put their two 75 [horse power engines] on them, don’t try and outrun this you know, because this will outrun you,” Gonsalves said in reference to the new safe boat.

Linda Taglialatela, the United States ambassador for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean said that the initiative identifies security as the foundation for stable, prosperous and democratic societies.

“Through close cooperation and shared responsibility, particularly on transnational security issues, we can help ensure the safe and secure Caribbean,” she said.

Taglialatela said that the United States has invested over US$5 million in direct bilateral assistance since the start of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and she reiterated her country’s commitment to help increase the national security of countries like St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The safe boat donated to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard is valued at US$700 thousand.