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Belize Coast Guard
Logo of the Coast Guard
Logo of the Coast Guard
AbbreviationBCG
Motto Utrinque Paratus
Ready for Anything
Agency overview
Formed28 November 2005; 18 years ago (2005-11-28)
Employees630 (2019 approx)
Jurisdictional structure
National agency Belize
Operations jurisdiction Belize
Constituting instrument
  • Belize National Coast Guard Service (Amendment) Act, 2016
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Coastal patrol, marine border protection, marine search and rescue.
Operational structure
Headquarters4.5 Miles George Price Highway, Belize City, Belize
Minister responsible
  • Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Security
Agency executive
  • Captain Elton Bennet, Commandant
Parent agencyMinistry National Security
Website
bcg.gov.bz

The Belize Coast Guard (until 2016, the Belize National Coast Guard Service [1]) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and the maritime and law enforcement service branch of Belize. The BCG is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. [2]

The current Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard is Captain Elton Bennett. [3]

History

The new service began operations with seven impounded Eduardoño fast craft and 50 men drawn from the disbanded Belize Defence Force Maritime Wing. [4] The Coast Guard was originally established as a part of Belize Defence Force established in November 2005 with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard.

It became an independent branch from the BDF in November 2005. [5]

Missions

Coast Guard men and women are deployed around the clock patrolling the internal waters and territorial seas. On the northern frontier, their joint operating base at Consejo protects the local economy from the negative impacts of illegal contraband and acts as the northern cut off for drug trafficking. On their southern boundary they stand guard at the Sarstoon river ensuring sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize. They stand ready for anything (Utrinque Paratus). [6]

The Belize Coast Guard mission includes: [4]

Like other naval forces in the region, the BCG mostly confronts crime at sea. “What occupies most of their time is really the transnational organised crime in the form of drug trafficking and weapon smuggling. The BCG also works to prevent illegal fishing and other illicit activity affecting the Belizean maritime ecosystem, supporting the Belize. [4]

The Coast Guard Service coordinates its activities with the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Police Department. [7]

Organization

The force has its Headquarters (HQ) on the outskirts of Belize City where storage and maintenance facilities for its boats are also found. Coming under the HQ are the CSOG, the fleet command also known as First Fleet, and the service and support group, which includes the training company handling recruit training, stores, and equipment supplies, as well as the maintenance component of the BCG.

The First Fleet includes an HQ and is broken down into northern, central, and southern sectors, each comprising three 30-man platoons. These are made up of boat teams and boarding teams, with each sector providing them with a pool of two Justice 370s and four other craft for operations. One platoon is usually on operation, with another training and the third on leave.

Each sector is responsible for the operation of several forward operating bases: six being coastguard stations, while seven are joint facilities where the BCG works alongside the BDF ( Belize Defence Force), the Belize Fisheries Department, customs officials, and NGOs. Directly under the First Fleet commandant is the Strike Team: an eight-man special operations unit specialising in maritime interdiction, counter-narcotics missions, and amphibious operations. Stood up in 2016, it is now slated for amalgamation into the CSOG to consolidate all BCG special operations assets within a single unit. A platoon-sized force, CSOG was formed in 2013 to respond to the degrading security situation in the north of the island of Ambergris Caye. “Different gangs would clash over drugs washed ashore. People would be found in shallow graves. They would harass the locals with home invasions, steal their boats, and sell them in Mexico. [4]

Belize Coast Guard SEALs

A selection and training course run by US Navy SEAL personnel saw eight BCG personnel graduate as Belizean SEALs, becoming the founding members of the unit. By 2014 CSOG was deploying in the field, gathering intelligence and carrying out offensive operations that led to a gradual drop in crime in northern Ambergris Caye. Since then more personnel have been trained and the unit has grown.

Armed with M4A1 rifles, FN M249 Squad Automatic Weapons, M240 machine guns, and Remington Model 700 sniper rifles, CSOG operatives are as proficient in maritime operations as they are in land deployments such as long-range reconnaissance and close-quarter combat. [4]

Personnel

As of November 2019, the Coast Guard service has a strength of 600 men and women, referred to as "guardsmen."

As the Coast Guard broadens its scope it is evident that there is a need to increase its strength. In November 2019 they graduated the largest class since existence. Eighty five recruits joined their ranks. This is a demonstration of government's commitment to the Belize Coast Guard. In addition to personnel administration, one hundred and six persons were promoted across the ranks. This is a steady progression and capacity building in the right direction.

Their international partners also play a crucial role in supporting the Belize Coast Guard. Their professional military education and training is a result of the international relationship that remains strong through 2020. The United States of America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada and Taiwan, at the Multi National Security Conference in September 2019 have all committed to continue to support the Belize Coast Guard. In that regard, one hundred and six (or 20%) Coast Guard personnel has been overseas for training and exercises in 2019. The exposure gained and expertise developed over the past year is one of the main reason for their high level professionalism that the nation has come to respect. This international relationship saw the successful completion of the 4 year long commitment from the US Marine to support the development of the Coast Guard Marines. That program matured in September 2019, and they are now prepared to continue developing Coast Guard Marines. [6]

Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard is Captain Elton Bennett. [3]

Ranks

Commissioned Officers

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Belize Coast Guard
 Various [note 1]
Rear admiral Rear admiral (lower half) Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant (junior grade) Ensign Officer cadet

Enlisted

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Belize Coast Guard
Master chief petty officer Senior chief petty officer Chief petty officer Petty officer first class Petty officer second class Petty officer third class Seaman Seaman apprentice

Bases

  • Headquarters

The chief base of the Belize Coast Guard Service is located at mile 4 on the Western Highway. Belize Coastguard gets a place to call headquarters | Channel5Belize.com

The new headquarters was built with the assistance from the US southern command. It was formerly located at Ladyville.

  • Calabash Caye

The Forward Operating Base at Calabash Caye was inaugurated on March 17, 2010. It was built at a cost of $3,000.000.00. National Coastguard’s $3 million outpost on Calabash Caye | Channel5Belize.com. Boats are stationed at Caye Caulker and San Pedro under the operational control of Ladyville. [8]

  • San Pedro

On Friday, November 29, 2013, the Belize Coast Guard (as part of their 8th anniversary celebrations) inaugurated its northern Forward Operating Base on Ambergris Caye and also held the graduation ceremony of its fourth intake.

  • Bacalar Chico

The Belize Coast Guard (BCG) officially opened its new patrol base on Friday, July 26. The new outlook post in the Bacalar Chico area, a mile and a half away from the Mexican border, will not only serve to patrol the northern coast of the island, but also deter any sort of criminal activities that threaten the safety and economic progress of Ambergris Caye

  • Hunting Caye

Hunting Caye is located at the southern apex of the Belize and northern Honduras/Guatemala maritime border and it provides that forward deployment from where they can project sea power in encountering transnational organized crime.

Equipment

In 2007, the Coast Guard Service had eight boats in commission. There are no aircraft; for air searches the Coast Guard Service relies on the Belize Defence Force. The Belize Coast Guard Service received several fast boats from the United States Coast Guard in 2008. These boats have a maximum speed of 60 to 65 miles per hour (100 to 108 km/h).The Belize Coast Guard inaugurated a new facility on December 2, 2013. Belize Coast Guard inaugurates new facility and graduates 30 - The San Pedro Sun

Plans

The Belize National Coast Guard, along with growing its strength in numbers, is also looking to expand its fleet of naval vessels. Maritime law enforcement agency will procure a pair of patrol boats through a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. The CABEI loan, as it is called, will allow the Ministry of National Security to upgrade a number of facilities and acquire other assets across all branches of law enforcement. The Sea Axe Class vessels are considerably larger than the Boston Whalers currently in use by the coast guard and will allow for wider coverage of Belizean waters. While Belize is in talks with Mexico to acquire both ships, no date has been set for their procurement. [9]

Logistic vehicles

Name Image Origin Type Variants Quantity Notes
Utility vehicles
Ford F250   United States Utility truck
F250
 2 Donated United States in 2020. Two trucks to the Belize Coast Guard. [10] [11]
Ambulance
Toyota Land Cruiser   Japan Military ambulance
J70
 1 Donated United States one ambulance to the Belize Coast Guard. [12] [13]

Weapons

Model Image Origin Variant Caliber Details
Handguns
FN35   Belgium Semi-automatic pistol 9mm Standard army pistol. [14]
Assault rifles
M4A1   United States Carbine 5.56mm M4s/M4A1s sold as part of a 2006 Foreign Military Sales package. [15] More M4/M4A1s announced to be sold via FMS program in 2017 [14] [4] [16]
M16A2   United States Assault rifle 5.56mm Uses assault rifles M16A1 and M16A2 [14] [4] [17]
Machine guns
FN MAG   Belgium General-purpose machine gun 7.62mm [14] [4]
M249   United States Light machine gun 5.56mm [14] [4]
M2 Browning   United States Heavy machine gun .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) Uses Belize army special boat unit and coast guard, as the main weapon of the boats. [18]
Sniper rifles
Remington 700   United States Bolt action rifle 308 Winchester [14] [4]

Coast Guard Fleet

Class Photo Origin Type Boats In service Notes
Coastal patrol
Boston Whaler   United States Patrol boat Justice 37 2010 4 In April 2010, the Coast Guard received two Boston Whaler Justice 37' patrol boats. Shortly they received an additional "Justice" and two Secure All-around Flotation Equipped (SAFE) boats.
Bradley Pelican marine   Belize 28-foot patrol boat CG28 Tiburon (2019) 1 September 25, 2019, Oceana Belize has facilitated the donation of a 28’ Bradley Pelican marine vessel, Tiburon, powered by two 115 horse power outboard engines, to the Belize Coast Guard in an effort to combat illegal fishing, piracy and drug trafficking in Belize's waters. [19]
Eduardoño-type   Colombia Patrol boat 2008 8 The coast guard is in the middle of reorganizing and restructuring and replacing its current fleet of boats. Now operate a set of fleet of 8 Eduardono refurbished vessels. [20] [4]
  United States Patrol boat 2008 The Belize Coast Guard Service received several fast boats from the United States Coast Guard in 2008. These boats have a maximum speed of 60 to 65 miles per hour (100 to 108 km/h). [20] [4]
Search and rescue
SAFE Defender Class   United States SAR 2011 2 In November 2011, the Coast Guard received two Boston Whaler Outrage Justice Series boats, two SAFE Defender Class boats, two F-550 Ford trucks, and a 40-foot container filled with spare parts. [1] [2]
Special purpose
Zodiac   United States RIB 2015 8 In December 2015,the Belize Coast Guard received about eight zodiac floatable vessels, two hundred life vests, an equal number of rain protective gears, and outboard motors.

They also received body armors, tactical floatation devices, night vision devices, surveillance cameras and laptop computer equipment which will be used by the coast guard SEALs. [21]

Notes

  1. ^ Dependent on the establishment the Officer Cadet studies at. This has included Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

References

  1. ^ "Act No. 3 of 2016 Belize National Coast Guard Service Amendment Act 2016". Act No. 3 of 2016 (PDF). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  2. ^ B.N. Garcia. "Challenges of Belize's Security Infrastructure" (PDF). CFC. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Belize Coast Guard to get a new commander". The San Pedro Sun. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "JANE's Overview Of The Belize Coast Guard". Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ^ "11 Years of Service for the Belize Coast Guard | Channel5Belize.com". Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b Bennett, Elton (27 November 2019). "State Of The Belize Coast Guard 2019". Belize Coast Guard. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Channel 5, Belize, newscast, Tuesday, July 24, 2007".[ permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Love FM, Belize. "Belize Coast Guard Service Enhances Capabilities". July 24, 2007". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  9. ^ "New Patrol Boats for National Coast Guard". Channel 5 Belize. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. ^ "U.S. Government Donates Counter Narcotics Equipment to Belize Ministry of Defence". US Embassy in Belize. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  11. ^ Cowo, Janelle (24 March 2020). "US Embassy Donates Heavy Duty Trucks to the Ministry of National Security". The San Pedro Sun. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. ^ "United States Donates Vehicles and Equipment to Ministry of National Security to Protect Border Security". US Embassy in Belize. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Belize Coast Guard Ambulance". Government of Belize Press Office. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Belize Belizean army land ground armed defense forces military equipment armored vehicle intelligenc". 27 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  15. ^ Watters, Daniel (2006). "The 5.56 X 45mm: 2006". Archived from the original on 1 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Colt Capitalizes on Foreign Military Sales Program". 27 April 2017. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017.
  17. ^ "Volunteer Battalion Of The Belize Defense Force Engages In Annual Battle Camp". Ambergris Today. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Attachment: Military-Parade42". Government of Belize Press Office. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Belize Coast Guard Receives 28 Foot Patrol Boat Donation". Belize Coast Guard. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  20. ^ a b "New Fleet of Vessels for the Belize Coast Guard". Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  21. ^ "US Embassy donates new equipment to the Belize National Coast Guard". The San Pedro Sun. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
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