Coast Guards reflect their passion for life within
GUYANA Defence Force  (GDF) Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best has charged the ranks to stand ready to face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s fights’. He gave the charge when addressing officers when the Army started its 45th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday.
“We must be strong, resolute and critical in the execution of our tasks. We must be clear and unwavering in our pursuit to maintain a safe environment. The Force must reflect honesty, integrity, fairness and selflessness. The attitude of officers and their professional conduct must transcend social and racial barriers,” Best said.
According to him, those attributes must be the hallmark of the Force’s work and the values found at times of introspection.
Against that background, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with officers in the Coast Guard, which is mandated to conduct maritime surveillance of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), enforce all laws on and under the high seas and waters, subject to the jurisdiction of Guyana and conduct operations in support of land forces.
However, despite the challenges presented by those tasks, they are addressed by the spirit of the officers which reflect their passion for life in the Coast Guard.
Lieutenant Andre Kwang, 20, who has already given two years service, said he wanted to serve in the Infantry first but ended up in the Coast Guard.
“And it turned out great. I am now the Navigation Officer for the flagship GDFS Essequibo. I am here and there is no turning back, he quipped.
Kwang explained that in his position, he is responsible for the route the vessel sails when on operations and advising the Captain accordingly.

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
“No one can deny it, there are illegal activities that take place in Guyana’s waters, especially piracy and the Coast Guard is responsible for deterring them,” he pointed out.
Kwang emphasised the importance of the Coast Guard role and noted that, soon, it will be better equipped to function more effectively.
Another officer, 22-year-old mid-shipman Dominic Gilpin said his first choice, like that of his many peers, was not the Coast Guard.
“But, once you got hooked on the naval environment, that was it. I can’t see myself anywhere else,” he declared.
Gilpin said his duties revolves around the operation of vessels during patrols or search and rescue missions.                                                                                                      
He agreed that the Coast Guard is a small unit but said it is growing and will continue to impact on the country’s development as best it can.
“The ocean is a big place that needs policing and we have problems but the entire Coast Guard is trying its best,” Gilpin stated.
Leader rating Eon Singh, 27, said he is living his dream to serve his country in an institution that has always interested him.
“I grew up loving the sea and boats,” he confessed.
Singh said the importance of the Coast Guard is, sometimes, overlooked, because not everyone feels the impact of what it does, mainly protecting the EEZ and those whose livelihood depend on it, like fishermen.
“This is a good place to be, if you want to give something back to your country,” he remarked.
Able rating Deon Jacobs, 24, also a member of the flagship crew, said, being able to serve in the Coast Guard is very important to him, expressly as it is something he has always wanted to do.

OFFERS PROTECTION
“It is more than what people think. The Coast Guard offers protection of our national resources,” he said.
Able rating Stafford Cox, 28, said his love for the Coast Guard is because of what it does, policing the waters in Guyana’s territory and interdicting illegal activities.
Being responsible for communication, relaying information and distress calls, he has discovered that his work is suitable to him.
Twenty-four-old Kester Kitt, another GDFS Essequibo crew member, said the Coast Guard offers a full package.
“It gives you something to love, training to advance yourself and an opportunity to make a contribution to your country. You go places and something significant,” he admits.
Kitt said the Coast Guard ensures that illegalities are not rampant.
“We are doing good and will do more in the future.”
Chief Marine Engineering Officer (CMEO) Wesley Gordon said: “I always wanted to fix people but now I am fixing engines. I wanted to do medicine first but, after I got here and am still here says it all.”
The 30-year-old said guarding the nation’s wealth, in terms of its resources and protecting Guyanese who use those resources and the waterways is a very important job and one which the Coast Guard is doing the best way it can with the resources at its disposal.

VAST STRETCH
He said, with the increased use of technology, monitoring of the vast stretch that constitutes the EEZ will be more effective and their operations will be enhanced.
Leader ratings Valeo Griffith, one of the small number of female ranks, said she, too, always wanted to be in the Coast Guard.
She said: “Here, the work you do is respected. The way you carry yourself is what gets you your respect. I endorse that.”
Griffith said, being a woman, in what has, traditionally, been considered a man’s field has not affected her work.
“We have a platoon of women, which is like about 30 or so, but it is not a question of gender here. I have commanded men when I was in Sector Command and there was no difficulty,” she reported.
Griffith attributed this to the level of discipline insisted on in the GDF but said  personal attitudes contribute as well.
“The Coast Guard makes an impact and, if you take that away, then we will have trouble. The Coast Guard is essential when you consider the number of illegal activities taking place,” she asserted.