US GOVERNMENT MAKES DONATION TO BELIZE COAST GUARDThe National Coast Guard received essential equipment this morning from the United States Southern Command Counter Drug Program. Operations Officer for the Coast Guard, Gregory Soberanis says the equipment enhances the services capability of the Coast Guard.
Lt. Gregory Soberanis - Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard
"It definitely enhances our tactical units in performing their overall functions at sea and allows them to be better equipped and to execute their functions in a more effective and efficient manner. Three, it also enhances our ability to conduct night operations and also to conduct reconnaissance; four, it speaks volumes of the commitment by the Commandant Coast Guard, Ministry of Defence and Government of Belize in our fight against narco trafficking in our region and in Belize sea spaces."
Maria Novelo - Reporter
Can you specify on the items you received?
Lt. Gregory Soberanis - Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard
"We received binoculars, we received night vision goggles, we received tactical floatation vest, we received search lights for when we conduct search and rescue operations. We received several tactical equipment as it relates to our tactical units conducting high risks boarding and law enforcement boarding."
Maria Novelo - Reporter
Can you speak in terms of the capabilities of this boat how does it differ from the one you guys are utilizing right now?
Lt. Gregory Soberanis - Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard
"This boat has a wide array of capabilities, it definitely gives us a better platform to conduct operations in our sea spaces, it gives us a greater capability to operate in Belize territorial seas, it provides greater crew protection and it also provides greater surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the Coast Guard."
Chief Military Liaison Officer, Colonel Chris Elridge told us that they have been working closely with the BDF, Coast Guard and the Belize Police Department. Eldridge says the U-S will continue to support Belize's fight against Narco trafficking.
Colonel Chris Elridge - Chief Military Liaison Officer
"Consistently work with the Belize Government to find out what their needs are and if we can help, we try to do that."
Maria Novelo - Reporter
This new boat, how does this differ from the one they are utitlizing right now in terms of its capabilities?
Colonel Chris Elridge - Chief Military Liaison Officer
"The boats that will arrive in the next few weeks are very similar to the ones behind me. It gives the Belize Coast Guard the opportunity to sustain longer on the water for water rescue, for environmental issuers as well as patrolling for counter drug operation. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Belize Defense Force as well as the Belize Coast Guard and our relationship has never been better"
The donation of equipment has an investment value of over three hundred thousand dollars. Present at the handing over was Minister of Police and Public Safety Doug Singh.
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The United States Military Liaison Office has donated a number of pieces of equipment and machines to the Belize Coast Guard. This morning handing over ceremonies were held at the Coast Guard's Headquarters at Mile 4 on the Western Highway. 7news was there.
"As it relates to the personal protective equipment (PPE) we have the bullet proof vests behind us. as we know in the coast guard and maritime domains - there are many threats that we face out there - threats both foreign and domestic and when we conduct these law enforcement missions or these military missions our personnel needs to be properly equipped for personal safety and these vests will enable them a greater degree of personal protection. We also have helmets to protect their head. We have as well the night vision goggles or the NVGs that enhances our ability to conduct operations at night - to basically see in the dark. We have binoculars - again these extends our range of reconnaissance - being able to see beyond what the natural eyes are able to see - radar equipment that provides electronic tracking - electronic navigation. So overall it definitely increases our professional capabilities."
