Barbados Coast Guard News

Sailors from USS Carr (FFG 52) completed theater security cooperation events and training to improve interoperability with the Barbados Coast Guard during a four day visit to Barbados, May 4-7. The Barbados Coast Guard has recently increased its forces and conducted more training in an effort to counter narcotic-drug trafficking. Part of that training involved Carr Sailors training the Barbados Coast Guard on U.S. Navy visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics. Lt. Chris Locher, Carr's combat systems officer, briefed VBSS tactics at a new Barbados Coast Guard Base.

The Barbados Coast Guard will soon be able to take up residence in its new base on Spring Garden, a project that is costing the government $59.5m. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Reverend Joseph Atherley revealed this, while speaking at the St Ann’s Fort during the 27th Anniversary parade of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF). Saying that the base will be outfitted with the most cutting edge equipment, the Minister noted that this base must serve as a hub in the Southern Caribbean. Additionally the new base will allow the berthing of larger naval and Coast Guard vessel from regional and international partners.