Northern Grenadines Coast Guard sub-base recommissioned

The Ministry of National Security in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs has re-established the Northern Grenadines sub-base of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service on Bequia.

The operations, which were initially established in 2013, recommenced on December 12, 2022, after a four years suspension, a release from the Ministry of National Security states.

On December, 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., a flag-raising ceremony to officially signal the resumption of operation of the base was held on the grounds of the Bequia Revenue Office Complex, Port Elizabeth.

Among those in attendance were senior government officials including the Commissioner of Police, Colin John; permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Hudson Nedd; lieutenant commander, Ralphie Ragguette of the SVG Coast Guard Service; and Carlos Williams, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police highlighted the importance of safeguarding the security of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and the role which the coast guard plays in doing so.

He emphasized that security is vital to the economy of SVG.

“SVG is surrounded by water. We are blessed with many lovely beaches which can also be a burden. This can happen when people with less than noble intentions utilize our beaches to conduct nefarious activities such as gun, human, and drug trafficking,” the commissioner said.

He pointed to some of the responsibilities that the coast guard undertakes to secure the nation’s borders from criminals. In doing so, commissioner John said that the coast guard assists greatly in the preventative aspect of policing through its strategic and targetted marine patrols which help to curtail and prevent incidents of yacht breaking.

The commissioner also lauded the coast guard for the number of medical evacuations it carries out throughout the year from the Grenadines to the mainland and other countries in the region.

“I can immediately recall two instances where the coast guard transported two fishermen from the Grenadines to Grenada to undergo treatment for decompression sickness ‘bends’ and their lives were saved because of that”, said Commissioner John.

“In cases of emergency, minutes matters. Minutes can mean life or death”, he further said.

The SVG Coast Guard operates two sub-bases in the Grenadines. The other is on the island of Canouan.