Navy ship “Karel Doorman” with Coast Guard cutter “Jaguar”.
WILLEMSTAD--In recent weeks the Coast Guard, with assistance from the Netherlands Defence Forces, has intensified surveillance of Dutch Caribbean waters and coastlines. This intensification is the result of the coronavirus crisis that is gripping the world and the islands.
Due to the pandemic, all maritime borders of the islands are closed to non-regular shipping. Only freight traffic is allowed in their territorial waters.
Local, licensed fishermen have also been granted an exemption to go out to sea because they have a vital food-producing function.
The intensive coastal surveillance particularly focuses on the illegal entrance of goods and persons. These smuggling practices, in addition to constituting a crime, also pose a COVID-19 risk to the territories. “The successful collaboration is paying off as no illegal shipments have been observed in recent weeks,” stated a release.
The Coast Guard says it will continue to monitor the maritime borders and shorelines in the coming period with the navy’s assistance. In addition to station ship Zr.Ms Zeeland, Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman is deployed around the islands. The latter is also used for transport throughout the region.
Citizens who observe suspicious situations at sea and along the coastlines are asked to call the emergency number 913. Vessels at sea can contact the Rescue and Coordination Centre (RCC) via VHF channel 16 to report such. “With your cooperation, we keep the sea and the coastlines of the islands safe during the corona crisis.”
