Bermuda’s First Coast Guard Unit Launched
[Updated] Minister of National Security Wayne Caines and Governor John Rankin jointly launched Bermuda’s first ever Coast Guard Unit today.
A Government spokesperson said, “Earlier today [Feb 6], the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Caines, and His Excellency the Governor, John Rankin jointly launched Bermuda’s first ever Coast Guard Unit.
“The Acting Commanding Officer Major Benjamin Beasley will oversee the new Unit in partnership with the BPS for the next year.
“Today’s events also included the formal opening of the Coast Guard Unit’s Command Centre at the Watford House building located at Malabar, Somerset. Police Commissioner Stephen Corbishley, Collector of Customs Lucinda Pearman and US Consul General Constance Dierman were among the dignitaries in attendance.
“All of the vessels in the new Bermuda Coast Guard are all refurbished boats and have been ensured seaworthy and ready for service.”
Minister of National Security Wayne Caines said, “Today, as the Minister of National Security, I’m extremely pleased to join you in launching Bermuda’s first ever Coast Guard Unit.
“The Royal Bermuda Regiment plays a vital role in the protection, safety and unity of the country, and all of Bermuda should be proud of our soldiers and the service they provide to the people of this Country.
“Today is a particularly proud day for Bermuda, for this Government and for the Royal Bermuda Regiment.
“The launch of the Bermuda Coast Guard is a significant milestone for us.
“It marks the start of the formal transition of the responsibility for Bermuda’s maritime security from the Bermuda Police Service to the Royal Bermuda Regiment.
“The Unit will operate jointly for a year under the operational control of the Bermuda Police Service to allow for the hiring and training of new members.
“The Unit will establish and maintain an in-shore Coast Guard in order to secure Bermuda’s Territorial waters initially out to 12 nautical miles and beyond depending on sea state and available assets.
“Members of the Unit will operate out of the Command Centre here at Watford House and provide a 24 hour on-duty capability during the summer boating season.
“The Unit will also have the ability to assist with marine distress incidents, oil spills or pollution incidents as well as provide support to Disaster Response Management.
“The Unit will participate in joint operations with Customs, Immigration, Fisheries, Marine and Ports, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and the Police Service to ensure maritime safety and security.
“The Coast Guard Unit will also provide support for key maritime events such as the Newport to Bermuda Race, the Round the Island Boat Race and other notable maritime activities.
“As we evolve this new service, our members of the Coast Guard Unit will receive the very best training with both the US and UK Coast Guard.
“The Unit will work towards the accreditation of the Command Centre, and we envisage that the Bermuda Coast Guard will eventually become the Centre of Excellence for the other Overseas Territories.
“Lastly, I wish to express my thanks to the men and women of the RBR who have been answering the call of service.
“The RBR and the individuals in its service are prepared and ready. And during times of adversity they continue to display an unparalleled resilience and determination.
“We continue to encourage individuals in the community who are looking for a dynamic and exciting career choice to consider joining the RBR which offers a wide range of options, now inclusive of Bermuda’s first ever Coast Guard.
“I wish to once again congratulate all involved for ensuring the success of our new Coast Guard Unit and I wish all of our RBR soldiers nothing but success as you go about the business of watching over Bermuda and its people.”
Update February 7, 5.52am: Governor John Rankin said, “I am delighted to be here at Watford House for the launch of the Bermuda Coast Guard.
“Ensuring the safety and security of Bermuda’s waters is a key part of my responsibilities as Governor, working together with the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Police Service and all of the island’s other maritime agencies and, of course, operating in close conjunction with the Minister of National Security and his team.
“The aim of establishing a Bermuda Coast Guard is of long standing and I am pleased that after a great deal of hard work we have got there.
“In the year ahead members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment and members of the Bermuda Police Service will operate together as members of the Bermuda Coast Guard. Their task will be to provide a 24-hour on-duty capability, helping to ensure security within Bermuda’s territorial waters, helping to ensure safety of all of those out on the water, including during boating season, providing assistance to those who may get into difficulties, and also responding to any accidents or oil spills or other pollution incidents that may occur, in order to protect this island’s environment.
“The Coast Guard Unit will also provide support and assistance during international sailing events, including the upcoming Newport to Bermuda Race, and will lend support to the Sea Cadets and the Endeavour Programme in helping Bermuda’s young people to develop their maritime skills and future opportunities, including I hope within the Coast Guard Unit.
“I am grateful to all those who have worked to bring the Bermuda Coast Guard into existence, including the members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment and the Bermuda Police Service. I am also grateful to the assistance provided by colleagues from the United Kingdom and would particularly acknowledge the work of Commander Marcus Jacques from the Royal Navy who is with us today and who I know will continue to offer support as the Coast Guard further develops its skills and capabilities.
“We are blessed to live on this island surrounded by our beautiful waters. The Bermuda Coast Guard will serve to protect and preserve those waters, helping to maintain the island’s compliance with international maritime regulations and helping to ensure that people in Bermuda, and those visiting Bermuda, can continue to travel through our waters safely.
“I pledge myself to continue to support the Coast Guard in its work. And most of all I thank all of the men and women who will serve in the Coast Guard. I wish them every success for the future.”
What a wonderful idea!
The Marine Police have been doing this for decades. It’s an empty photo op.
Coast Guard is another level then Marine Police.
Duhhhh
We’ve developed a habit in the last few years of giving grandiose names to small things . (If you haven’t noticed yet)
The RBR is under strength. Howcos this being done
how, where and when can i join
You need a Pee el Pee membership card.
Why does the Bermuda Government need this additional military capability?
We have survived over 400 years without such a military force.
Does an Island surounded by water ring a bell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMFAO
Great initiative, looks like a slight rebranding exercise, but hopefully the functionality, positioning of stations and assets is well thought through. The station pictured is the refurbished property used by Artemis from the America’s Cup. It would make sense to have multiple launch stations taking into account the water rescue time between each and also the proximity to shore crew. The jet ski without a swim platform will be a hopeless rescue tool but good for quick response cases.
So if I am out in a boat and get into trouble what number do I ring to get a hold of these guys?
VHF 16, just like normal.
Never leave shore without a vhf radio and flares.
JMO but the Watford Bridge base is an excellent location. Fast access to straight down the harbour, good access to S Shore, straight blow to the East End, basically in the middle of the most active boating areas & a boat ramp very nearby so that these boats do not need to be kept inwater.
They should take a huge load of responsibility away from the BPS marine section with both services only needing to be out busy times during weekends & holiday weekends. Maybe we will see a much better presence in problem areas such as Paradise Lake Sunday evenings which has become anything but paradise for many years.
To all smugglers
ÖR operating hours are
Moin to fri 09:00 till 16:00
Sagt and sein we are closed
What do they do. Flip a coin as to who/m will attend.
Are they sworn law enforcement? Can they give tickets, make arrests?
If it blows more than 12knots they will be home in their beds. ” oh, its too windy to rescue someone”. What a waste of money to make it look like they are doing something.
I believe the MV Guardian would have been a beautiful flag ship for our new coast guard… She would have been able to patroll our waters with no problem… TO BAD THEY SOLD HER LAST YEAR.