Cayman’s Coast Guard ready for Service

By Christopher Tobutt

Sixteen young men and women made Cayman proud-as-can-be when they marched onto the lawn in front overlooking Pedro Bluff and the diamond-shimmering sea in their smart dark blue uniforms and white maritime caps. They were making history as the very first Cayman Islands Coast Guards.

After their parade, Cayman’s newest uniformed agency took their seats in front of dignitaries including Premier, Hon Alden McLaughlin, His Excellency the Governor Martyn Roper, and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson.

In his welcome remarks, Master of Ceremonies Welcome remarks, Mr. Winston Sutherland, a retired major, recalled his own commissioning in Sandhurst, England, many years before: “It’s a proud moment. It never leaves our memory, and I am sure that those of you who are being presented today will never forget this afternoon, even long after you have left this service,” he said.

There was a moment of silence for the lives lost at sea, as Mr. Dennison Tibbetts rang the seaman’s bell before Lieutenant Commander Leo Anglin read the Course Report: “These coasties have come to understand, and be raised on the core values of honor, courage and commitment,” he concluded, after listing all that was entailed in their intense 10-weeks of training, including physical fitness, drill, and sea-rescue procedures.

Governor Martyn Roper said,” As the newest members of the Cayman Islands Coastguard, you have shown impressive determination and dedication to successfully complete what I know was a vigorous and intense ten weeks of basic coastguard training, which also included a five mile jog along seven mile beach which I know we all found rigorous and tough, and I’m ready for the rematch.

“From an initial group of 250 young Caymanians who applied to join the Cayman Islands Coastguard, the 16 of you sitting here before us today can be very proud. This is a historic occasion for our islands, and you will be adding to the Cayman Islands’ rich maritime heritage. You have taken up a noble role to serve your country, and follow in many of your forefather’s footsteps.”

Hon. Alden McLaughlin remarked: “This is Just one facet of Cayman’s approach to maritime safety and security to bring our islands into conformity with a series of international obligations. The coastguard has already delivered further reductions in crime, but giving our islands a significantly enhanced maritime capacity and capability, ensuring safe use of our waters for recreational and commercial vessels.”

Governor Martyn Roper presented each of the new coast guards with their graduate certificates. The first of the special awards were presented by the Premier and the Coast Guard Commander. The Poseidon Award, for best academic performance, was presented to Tevin Crawford. Christopher McTaggart received the Neptune Award for a consistently high standard of physical endurance and performance throughout training. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson presented the Mark Luke Award to Jessica Smith, for tenacity and resilience throughout basic training, and presented the Leeland Scott award for leadership during training to Leanni Tibbetts. The Governor presented Anthony Clarke with the Best All Round Graduate award.

Then there was a very special award to Melicia Ebanks, by the Governor and Mr. Craig Anderson, a representative of the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada, because of Ms Ebanks’ quick thinking and application of the life-saving technques she had already learned, during a dramatic rescue in March 1919 when she saved the life of a toddler who had fallen into a swimming pool.