As noted in our story, the Coast Guard also got its 7th vessel from the US Government, and even though it's only slight increase, the Commandant told us today that they appreciate it nonetheless.
According to Admiral John Borland, it's part of a 15 year plan laid out to help them to be better equipped to protect Belize's waters:
Admiral John Borland - Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"This is a part of a 15 year strategy for the Coast Guard to develop its fleet. As you would recall in the past we operated the Colombian fleet and they are a dying fleet now and so it's being replaced by these state of the art Boston Whaler vessels and some safe boats. This is the 7th boat we have received to date as part of that plan and of course this boat gives us the capability that the old Colombians couldn't give us which is better sea keeping qualities, better platforms to operate, better surveillance capability, better communication capability, used for mounting our weapons and keeping our crew out of elements during foul weather as we are experiencing today."
"This is certainly a huge upgrade to enhance Coast Guard operations. Coast Guard has taken operations now from beyond the coasts to the limits of our territorial seas which you will appreciate in some cases is 55-60 miles off the coast."
Mike Rudon, reporter Channel 5
"Is budgeting a problem because we keep getting these nice boats but like you said they are gas guzzlers. I don't know if the budget of the Coast Guard keeps expanding along with these new equipment you keep getting. Is that becoming a problem?"
Admiral John Borland - Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"It hasn't become a problem to date. I have to be very grateful to the Ministry of National Security, our Minister and the Government of Belize that they do realize the importance and the relevance of what we are doing and they've remain committed to seeing the force grow and expand the budget for operating cost not only for fuel but everything else along the lines of logistics. If I went on record to say that my operations are being hindered because of lack of support that would not be the case. We are out there 365 days a year and as I said before we have to be wise and prudent in how we plan our operations because every force in this world has limitations, we are no exception. We are doing our best and we have the full support and the Government of Belize behind us."
Along with the Boston Whaler, the Coast Guard also received 12 complete sets of maritime dive gear, 3 Panasonic Toughbook Laptops, 2 sets of maintenance tools, 1 hydraulic Outboard engine Hoist, and 1 motor backup test tank.
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