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But, while the Coast Guard is expected to get those boats in a few months time, things aren't so certain for the completion of their Hunting Caye Forward Operating Base.

This facility has stalled for over a year after the public outcry that a Guatemalan company should not be building a military facility for Belize. The Coast Guard officers posted at that strategic location have been forced to perform their duties in less than ideal living conditions. By now, if the Guat company, BINARQ, had been allowed to continue, the base would more than likely be finished by now.

So, when we asked about it today, their commandant told us that these officers can and will have to make do until construction on the base resumes, and is then completed:

Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard

"The officers that are stationed at Hunting Caye are all on active duty status, so they continue to perform their operational requirement for providing law enforcement and their military functions. They continue to operate out of the old facility, the facility being constructed it still hasn't met any traction since the project was suspended but the update on that project is that now finally we have received the new amended updated plans from the army core of engineers. Our ministry of works' engineers have since then put together a bill of quantity, an estimate for the completion of that project and we expect that contract should be put to tender; advertised and awarded perhaps by the end of this financial year."

Daniel Ortiz

"We've seen photos of it and those of us who are civilians would come to the conclusion that it is quite difficult to be posted out in that region at this current moment."

Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard

"From a military standpoint, I wouldn't say it is quite difficult. It is not ideal; it is definitely in a state of disrepair and would need to be repaired. At this point we believe there is no point in doing any investment in refurbishing or renovating that facility as we expect construction to commence shortly on the continuation of the new forward operating base that was being constructed. As military men trained to operate under all conditions and to execute their duty, we expect that those men are still able to perform without any flaws at all. They are provided with the kit, the equipment, food, the operational directives and all orders and they are able to execute. We've operated under fall less conditions or worst or adverse conditions and have been able to fulfil our duties no problem at all."

The Government will put the contract to finish the Hunting Caye base out to tender.