The Cayman Islands Coast Guard, the islands’ newest law enforcement agency, has received legal standing following the passage of legislation this week.
While the Coast Guard Bill was passed by lawmakers on Tuesday, until the legislation is officially enacted, the agency will continue to fall under the auspices of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s Joint Marine Unit, and its members will still be classified as special constables.
Once the gazettal of the bill is complete, the Coast Guard will be an official entity in its own right, tasked with the maritime enforcement of local laws. All officers of the Joint Marine Unit have transitioned to the Coast Guard, which is led by Commandant Robert Scotland and Deputy Commandant Leo Anglin.
Tabling the legislation in Parliament this week, Premier Wayne Panton thanked Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne for “taking the Coast Guard under his wing while this bill was being drafted”. He also commended Scotland and Anglin for their “pivotal role” in developing the unit.
Panton pointed out that the Coast Guard, working alongside the RCIPS, had already been involved in operations. These have included marine search and rescue, coastal patrols, and interdiction of drug boats in local waters.
“They have taken their rightful place among the other uniformed branches,” the premier said.
Duties of the Coast Guard including patrolling the seas; carrying out search-and-rescue operations; rendering assistance to people or vessels in distress; inspecting vessels to ensure and enforce compliance with local and international safety laws, regulations, rules and standards; and assisting local law enforcement agencies in the execution of their duties in the maritime environment.
Coast Guard officers have the power to arrest people and to stop, board, search and seize vessels if they suspect an offence has been committed, and are authorised, in certain circumstances, to carry and use firearms.
The first cohort of Guard Guard recruits consisted of 16 individuals – 10 men and six women – who graduated in March this year.
The legislation was supported by both government and opposition members when it was voted on in Parliament on Tuesday.
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