by JULIE WILSON

THE BARBADOS COASTGUARD will soon get more men in blue.

That's the word from Acting Prime Minister Reginald Farley, who yesterday announced Government's intent to boost the Coastguard's intake as well as the reserves during a ceremony marking the opening of the Coastguard's new headquarters off the Spring Garden Highway.

He also used the occasion of the joint opening of the HMBS Pelican facility and the commissioning of the HMBS Leonard C. Banfield patrol vessel, to announce the establishment of an auxiliary coastguard comprising civilians within the boating community.

In terms of manpower he said the Coastguard, which now numbers 127 full-time personnel, would be increased at a rate of about 30 per year over the period 2007 to 2011.

Additionally, said Farley, the Coastguard reserves, now numbering 37, would be strengthened to 101 people over the next two years to complement the regular service.

He said the additional numbers were necessary in order to provide adequate surveillance of the island's coasts.

"Concomitant with the provision of physical assets, Government has given authority for an increase in Coastguard manpower to provide adequate crews, effectively manage the new base and provide for the operation of the coastal surveillance system," Farley told the audience that included members of the judiciary, heads of Government departments, and other officials.

He also used the occasion to highlight the Coastguard's successes in fighting the illicit drug trade.

Farley said that in conjunction with the law enforcement agencies the Coastguard was successful in 20 counter-narcotics operations which netted $23 million in illegal drugs, the arrest of 16 traffickers and the seizure of ten vessels.

In addition, he said the department also conducted 91 maritime search and rescue missions, ten long-range Regional Security Systems patrols and assisted more than 50 public and private sector organisations in activities ranging from maritime safety training to community projects and familiarisation tours.

The seizures, he said, were conducted with the use of one offshore patrol vessel and an inadequate number of smaller inshore and quick response boats.

Thus, he said, the opening of the $59 million Coastguard base, complemented by the purchase of three 42-metre offshore patrol vessels, including the HMBS Leonard C. Banfield, would ensure that the Coastguard was always in a state of readiness.