THE HAGUE – The Caribbean Coast Guard is undergoing a major transformation as it aims to become a fully operational 24/7 organization by the end of 2025. According to the 2024 Annual Report released today, the Coast Guard invested heavily in training and developing personnel last year to support this transition. As part of the process, approximately 70 full-time positions will be added to the organization.
The move to a 24-hour operational model means the Coast Guard will be able to operate continuously, even outside of emergency situations. This shift requires significant investment in both personnel and equipment, and is part of a broader strategy to adopt Intelligence-Led Policing (IGP). This approach relies on timely collection, processing, enrichment, and analysis of information within the legal framework.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence, which manages and funds the Coast Guard, is responsible for supporting these changes. Typically, a station ship is deployed in the Caribbean to support Coast Guard operations. However, in the first part of 2024, no station ship was available due to Dutch naval deployments in the Mediterranean and Red Seas for various international missions.
The Coast Guard also faced operational setbacks last year due to staffing shortages and technical problems with its cutters, particularly the Panter stationed in Aruba. As a result, fewer operational days were achieved. The cutter replacement program, launched in 2024, was identified as one of the year’s most critical equipment projects. Additionally, the shore radar project for the Windward Islands began last year.
The Caribbean Coast Guard serves as the maritime link in the law enforcement chain for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It operates on behalf of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the public entities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Its duties include search and rescue operations, as well as law enforcement tasks such as combating human trafficking, drug and human smuggling, and irregular immigration.
