Coast Guard: small islands need communication system

With a string of unsolved disappearances at sea and on small islands off the coast of Belize, the public has become more wary of travelling in open waters. Today Operations Manager at the Belize Coast Guard, Lieutenant Elton Bennett, told News Five what while they have a role patrolling the sea, working electronic communications on small islands would be beneficial.

Lt. Elton Bennett, Operations Manager Belize Coast Guard
“We have a wide area of operations at sea. We do maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental protection. Maritime safety is our primary role and is the responding to the criminal activities out at sea and drug trafficking, human trafficking and arms smuggling. And we also deal with boat theft and property being vandalized out at sea.”

Jose Sanchez
“Do you think it should be mandatory for small islands to maybe have a C.B. radio to call in times of distress?”

Lt. Elton Bennett
“It is definitely a plus. I know it is a requirement for all boats out at sea to have a means of communicating. So for small islands, it’s a very good thing to have. But for it to be mandatory … that would be up to the lawmakers.”