The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard is prepared to act in any eventuality after the ruling of the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which is to hand down its decision on the maritime boundary between Guy-ana and Suriname in August.
Suriname gunboats had chased a CGX oil rig out of Guyana's territorial sea in June 2000, after CGX had been granted permission by this country to explore for oil in its waters. In 2004, Guyana moved to the UN Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, after efforts bilaterally and at the level of the 15-nation Carib-bean Community (Caricom) failed to resolve the issue.
Speaking to Stabroek News during a recent interview, Coast Guard Comman-der Godfrey George said the unit was ready to combat any threats after the ruling.
He pointed out that at present the Coast Guard has four fast vessels that can operate in Guyana's territorial sea. The GDF Essequibo, which is not up to 100% serviceability would be up and running by then and will play a major role in the country's response if needed.
George said that ever since the dispute between Guyana and Suriname over the maritime border began, the Coast Guard has always paid keen attention to it and the impending ruling of the tribunal has been under consideration along time now.
Guyana expects the ruling to pave the way for exploration to continue in the potentially oil-rich Atlantic basin from where the Canadian rig contracted by CGX Energy was evicted by Surinamese gun-boats in June 2000. CGX Energy plans to return to the area, which the United States Geological Survey (USGS) believes has 15.3 billion barrels of oil, after the final and binding settlement of the maritime boundary.
Guyana had proposed joint exploration and exploitation of the area in the bilateral talks as well as those involving Caricom.
Officials of the Spanish-owned firm, Repsol YPF and The Texas-headquartered Exxon-Mobil as well as CGX Energy, which all have concessions, held talks with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission officials late February and early March in anticipation of the ruling.
Asked whether the Coast Guard had the resources to monitor the country's entire sea space, George replied in the negative, adding that at no point did it have the capabilities to do so. "But we have been following the matter closely and a decision has already been taken with regard to this." George added that the Coast Guard would no doubt have a major role to play should there be an incident following the ruling and for that reason has been readying. "We have a significant role to play and we have been preparing ourselves in terms of vessels and assets," Commander George noted.
Noting that Guyana's sea space, which is about 54,000 nautical miles and its sea coast about 270 miles are very large to monitor, George said despite this the Coast Guard has been carrying out its functions. "Despite not having the resources the Coast Guard has been able to function and has gotten results," George declared.
He said the unit had riverain capabilities, referring to the four fast boats and offshore capability with the GDFS Essequibo. However, the GDFS Essequibo has been out of operation for just over a year now. George said one of the engines of the vessel was damaged and has since been repaired. He noted that some other minor works were being done on the vessel, which would bring it up to standard very soon. George however noted that the GDFS Essequibo could be deployed if needed, but there has not been the need.
Stabroek News was told that the high cost of fuel and spares had impacted negatively on the Coast Guard's mobility over recent months, but George said this was not so. He told this newspaper that fuel was never a problem although it is costly. "We have never had to abort an exercise because of the lack of fuel so it is not a problem and we don't have a problem with spares," the commander said.
With regard to patrols, George said this was information-driven. He said the Coast Guard normally conducts routine patrols, but most times they would go out when they have certain information.
As regards foreigners fishing illegally in Guyana's waters, George said there would always be illegal fishers in Guyana. He said these fishermen usually came from neighbouring Venezuela, Suriname and Barbados. The commander noted that last year during an aerial recognizance army ranks spotted this, but no action was taken, as the GDFS Essequibo was not up to 100% serviceability.
Anti-narcotics fight
In May 2005, the United States Coast Guard donated a fast interceptor boat to the GDF Coast Guard. The boat was given to help boost the country's fight against drug trafficking. The US$180,000 ($36.3M) vessel is similar to that used by drug dealers. It however has a larger fuel tank and is equipped with a complete censor and communication package. At the time of the donation the vessel the then Commander of the GDF Coast Guard, John Flores, said the donation was very timely, noting that many times the Coast Guard was unable to intercept drug boats which are far faster than its patrol boats. Asked about the serviceability of the vessel, George said that it was in good condition. He noted that recently maintenance work was done on it, adding that since the boat was handed over the GDF has been maintaining it quite comfortably. George said the vessel has been doing a lot of work particularly along the coast. Asked about the unit's anti-narcotics efforts, the commander said that they usually work closely with the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).
He noted that very shortly they would hold a discussion to decide on future joint operations. George was however adamant that in order for them to obtain success in terms of narco-smuggling, intelligence gathering has to be high. He said if this is not the case they will fail. George said currently the Coast Guard unit is working on boosting its intelligence gathering capacity and also information sharing within agencies. "In order for success to be achieved intelligence has to be vibrant and this is what we are working towards," the commander said.
He said there has been cooperation from members of the public and the GDF will continue to forge good relationships with the communities.