News

A new Coast Guard Facility will soon be constructed in the North of the island. The ground breaking ceremony for the facility was held on Thursday morning in Bell Hall.

One point seven-seven acres (1.77) of land has been allotted for the construction of the new facility.

Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit in his address at Thursday’s ceremony, described the commissioning of the new vessels and the construction of the coast guard base in the north as very timely.

“These assets are being constructed and commissioned in order to add to arsenal for responding to the security challenges posed principally by man.  In today’s world, technology and human ingenuity have made it possible for the resolution of conflict within states and between states and the conduct of various kinds of criminal activity to flout establish norms and to delve into activities that a normal law abiding citizen would regard as unbelievable. As a small, open and vulnerable state, it behooves us to take every measure possible to effectively combat the forces that will seek through devious and diabolical means to use our waters and the state of Dominica for carrying out their dastardly acts.”

Police commissioner Cyril Carrette says the construction of the facility in that part of the island is very important.

“For some, this may appear to be a novelty, as something that has just happened, however the conceptualization of this Coast Guard Base goes back an entire decade…  The coastlines of Dominica are very long and the time a boat takes to get to Portsmouth from Roseau I very long.  There are more seafaring activities taking place in the Portsmouth area than in the Roseau area.  The Portsmouth Harbour itself is naturally set for ships to come…  These are some of the reasons we have decided to locate a coast guard base in Portsmouth. 

  We are happy that the Government of Dominica has kept its promise in partnering with        the United States Government in order to make this come to fruition.”

 Major General John Croley, Deputy Commander of the USMC Forces Command    says

“I want to express my appreciation to the Government of Dominica for their foresightedness and their strong leadership and enduring partnership with the United States.  I also want to recognize your role as a leader in the region in promoting regional and hemispheric security.  This is hallowed ground that we were on this morning for this harbour location.  The Great Lord Admirable Nelson was here many days ago in the 18^th Century and those students of history under Lord Admirable Nelson would know that he believed in solid direct leadership and it is appropriate that Ministers are here, the cabinet under the fine, able leadership of the Prime Minister and his senior executives for this nation is moving forward.  This nation has decided to take responsibility for their sovereign territory and against those drug trafficking organizations and those trans-criminal organizations that would wreak havoc and chaos and have no respect for our borders and our rules of law and through the forward leadership and linking this back to Lord Admirable Nelson, he had a way of communicating to his cabinet, to his subordinates in a very direct way.  It was called Nelsons touch and that was the reason for his success and battle against the French and the Spanish being at sea culminating in the Battle of Trafalgar.  He would work very carefully with his subordinates and his non-commission officers.  Many of these young faces you see here today have made a commitment to be something larger than themselves and serve their great nation.  I see the faces of the Sea Cadets and those that serve in the National Police and that gives you hope for the future.  These boats that are so wonderfully dedicated and honourably here this morning mean something in that but we cannot do anything without able and direct leadership and Prime Minister thank you for your direction and your partnership in this collaborative effort.”

U.S. Ambassador to Dominica, H.E. Larry Leon Palmer

“The new Coast Guard facility when constructed and operational over the next year will provide both presence and disruption in a remote but highly transited region of Dominica.  The new base will allow police response to move more quickly and to protect its citizens and its maritime interests.”

Ambassador Palmer spoke highly of the extent of relations between the U.S. and Dominica.

“One of things for which I am most proud today, is that our partnership with Dominica is much broader than security.  Our work together benefits both our nations and region on a whole as we strive shoulder to shoulder in bettering the lives of all our citizens in the face of the innumerable challenges of today.  Together we’re stronger and more resolute than either of us would be alone.  I personally look forward to deepening the cooperative as I begin my term to your great country.”