Local Coast Guard officers complete Navigational course

A group of local Coast Guard officers comprising of Petit Officers, Leading Seamen, and Able Seamen, are better equipped in navigational operations after participating in a Navigational course.{{more}}

The course covered the areas of Navigation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Radar Navigation, and GPS, from February 23rd, 2009, to March 6th, 2009.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 12 officers graduated from the programme at a ceremony held at the Calliaqua Coast Guard Base.

Chief Petit Officer, Franklyn John, giving an overview of the programme, said the sessions were both practical and theoretical. He noted that although there were no formal tests, the participants had to do lots of practice tests.

Commander of the Coast Guard, Brenton Caine, reminded the officers that they operate in an environment that require lots of knowledge and skills to carry out their duties safely.

He said unlike other Coast Guards which have officers for specific tasks, officers at the local Coast Guard are trained to multi task.

Commander Caine told the officers the Coast Guard is anticipating the addition of a large vessel to the fleet, spanning over 100 feet, and this would be “a different ball game” that requires greater skill.

The Commander thanked Chief Petit Officer F. John immensely for coordinating the programme.

The officers who received certificates for completing the course are: Petit Officers, Celia Charles, and Kenlet Francis; Leading Seamen, Clinton Lewis, Nolan James, David Lewis, Alvis Daniel, Melita Browne, and Grason Stephens; and Able Seamen, Daron Robinson, Brenda Durrant, Garrett Glasgow, and Kurtdale Francois.(HN)