UK to fund review of marine unit

| 04/10/2016 | 15 Comments

(CNS): The British government will be funding a review of the search and rescue capabilities, resources and equipment as well as coastguard protections in all of its territories in the Caribbean, and it will be starting with Cayman. The minister for the overseas territories, Baroness Anelay, announced that the money for the extensive review will come from the UK’s conflict security and stability fund to help determine how gaps in the capabilities of services, such as the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit, can best be filled and what the needs are.

Speaking at a press conference at the JMU’s headquarters in Newlands with the premier and the governor, the British minister said that goal was to help the unit be even more effective and efficient and ensure that coastal security and search and rescue was properly covered in the territories.

Governor Helen Kilpatrick explained that, following on from the review by the UK coastguard agency in May, after the deaths of two children and three men aboard a small vessel in March, the local justices of the peace who took part had recommended a much wider review of search and rescue operations. Kilpatrick said that her office had applied to the UK for a grant to fund that wider review, and as a result the project has grown into a wider examination of the requirements for all of the regional territories.

The goal is to identify what types of resources, such as boats or other equipment, the territories need to provide search and rescue services as well as coastline security and then how best to deploy those resources. Cayman, which is considered to already have a more sophisticated marine protection service than most of the other territories, will be seen as a yardstick for reviews elsewhere. Depending on the findings, the territories may then be able to tap into more UK funding to support further investment by the local governments in search and rescue.

In his report published in June, Coastguard Commander Andy Jenkins focused specifically on the series of events surrounding the deaths of Edsell Haylock, Gary Mullings and his three nephews, Nicholas Watler, Kamron (11) and his brother Kanyi Brown (9), after the group was reported missing following a fishing trip on 6 March, and the challenges that the late report and weather conditions presented to the JMU. But the UK marine expert identified a lot of wider issues that related to resource and equipment problems.

The funding from the UK will allow a more comprehensive review of the current search and rescue capabilities and what more can be done and how much it will cost to do it.

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Comments (15)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Is this investment targeted to help save drug smugglers whose activities go wrong? That seems to be main blind sport at the moment.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Why we still don’t have a marine ambulance and a marine fire boat is beyond me. For a country whose heritage and economy and activity is based in and on the sea, we are dreadfully unprepared for any water-based emergency.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Stop about the 5 deaths already. Sad yes, but they were taking a huge risk by what they were doing and when. Nuff said.

  4. Veritas says:

    I would like to see H.M. Government fund a review of the incapabilities of the Civil Service. The problem is there are so many that they wouldn’t be able to afford it.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Will government have to build / buy a new shelf to put these reports on?

    • Anonymous says:

      4:32 that’s old news. Give me one report that has stayed on the shelf in the last 4 years.

      AG reports actioned
      EY report. Actioned
      Commander Jenkins report actioned

      Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz wake up this is a new era.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Another huge win for CIG and the people of the Cayman Islands . We had an investigation and a report. Recommendations made in the report have now being action. Gone are the days of reports sitting on shelves.

    Great work everyone. A real joined up approach between CIG and the FCO.

    Thanks CNS for removing the like and dislike buttons.

  7. Diogenes says:

    When’s the last time the UK paid for anything?….we even pay for the governor. There has to be a motive here beyond wanting a search and rescue service, as the UKs altruism didn’t extend to even providing any financial assistance after Ivan. I suspect its probably drug interdiction, which would go down well with the US. If so some people locally better watch out – cant refuse to make the investment if CIG isn’t even paying for it, and you can bet your life its going to be staffed by ex UK Navy and coastguard.

  8. Privateers of Shallow water Cay says:

    First step remove all those so called Capn’s who mashed up or hit patrol vessels more than 7 times costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Second step remove all those involved with criminal activity in any way shape or form especially those from a yard. Third step remove any inexperience unfit or non swimmers afraid to go out in rough seas. .That should leave the JMU with almost 2 personel to work with or start over from scratch with forming the new JMU.There it is UK please send the money now!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Step 1: look after all equipment as you would you own. Minimising damage is paramount. When it occurs we all pay including those that caused it. That is where a portion of our tax money goes.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Outstanding, nobody loves a good study more than us folks here in Cayman!

  11. Joe King says:

    Wow, you guys get out of the wrong side of bed?

  12. Duke Of Mary Street says:

    If some are so eager to increase the JMU Capabilities as they claim.Why did allow their overseas adviser and his henchmen to destroy the local experienced leadership in the first place under Derek Haines. Why not build on what they had instead they intentionally filled up the ranks with token inexperienced Yes men and foreign nationals who’s brethren are part of the problem or ivolved with importing drug and weapons into this territory. These foreign saviours who “are here to reflect the diversity of our population “obviously have not done a thing to halt it from the amount drugs and guns and gun related violence we see on our streets. Yes Cayman more money for their recolonize program. Yes PPM Keep it up???

  13. Anonymous says:

    Part of an evil plot by the selfish mother country to destabilise the territory.

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