Netherlands Antilles & Aruba Coast Guard
Encyclopedia
The Dutch Caribbean Coastguard or DCCG is the coast guard
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
in the Caribbean. The unit is a joint effort between all constituent countries within the Kingdom. Prior to the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, it was known as the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Coastguard (NA&A CG).
, Sint Maarten, Curaçao
, and the "Caribisch Nederland"( the Caribbean State of the Netherlands) as part of the [Netherlands in the Caribbean of what was left over in 2010 of the "Netherlands Antilles", and became part of the State of the Netherlands' in the Caribbean, and named "Caribisch Nederland"]]:the three "B.E.S. islands", Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). The staff of the Coast Guard are composed of all constituent countries. DCCG is a kingdom organization directly under the State Council of Ministers of the Kingdom. The Commander of the Naval Forces of the Royal Netherlands Navy
in the Caribbean (CZMCARIB) is also the commander of DCCG.
, Curaçao
and St. Maarten. From here, the Coast Guard patrol boats patrol in the waters around the islands. The flying units of the Coast Guard are stationed at the Hato
military airbase in Curaçao. The Coast Guard Center / RCC itself is located in Curaçao, the naval base Parera.
built Stan Patrol 4100
s. They are designed for service in the inland waterways of the Caribbean islands. The cutters are suitable for carrying out all coast guard tasks. With the onboard RHIB
, boarding operations can be performed. The cutter is over 41 metres (134.5 ft) long, has an crew of eleven and a speed exceeding 26 knots (51 km/h).
Each boat has radar, infrared cameras, night vision binoculars, an ION-scan, a fixed 12,7mm Machinegun and a movable fire spray. Furthermore, they are equipped with photographic and video equipment to collect evidence.
helicopter for high speed chase, and search and rescue
operations. The AS-355 helicopter is stationed at Hato Coast Guard Support Center.
Besides these functions, both MPA-D8 can be deployed before, during and after hurricane passages to move people and resources to those areas that need help. For these missions the D8s will be converted into transport aircraft configurations.
but it can also be another naval vessel. This vessel usually carries a Westland Lynx
helicopter for SAR tasks and pursuit of suspect vessels.
A special boarding team
from the U.S. Coast Guard
can be embarked on board the WIGS, authorized to carry out boardings beyond the territorial waters of the Dutch Caribbean islands. This cooperation between Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, the United States, and other actors is formalized in the Joint Interagency Task Force South
, situated in Key West
, Florida, United States.
Coast guard
A coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
in the Caribbean. The unit is a joint effort between all constituent countries within the Kingdom. Prior to the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, it was known as the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Coastguard (NA&A CG).
Tasks
- Detection and control: drugs, border control, customs control at sea, fisheries and environmental surveillance and monitoring of safe shipping.
- Services: continuous occupation and Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), handling of maritime distress and safety radio communications, search and rescue (SAR) and supporting maritime contingency.
Organization
DCCG is a partnership between ArubaAruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
, Sint Maarten, Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, and the "Caribisch Nederland"( the Caribbean State of the Netherlands) as part of the [Netherlands in the Caribbean of what was left over in 2010 of the "Netherlands Antilles", and became part of the State of the Netherlands' in the Caribbean, and named "Caribisch Nederland"]]:the three "B.E.S. islands", Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). The staff of the Coast Guard are composed of all constituent countries. DCCG is a kingdom organization directly under the State Council of Ministers of the Kingdom. The Commander of the Naval Forces of the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
in the Caribbean (CZMCARIB) is also the commander of DCCG.
Policy
Ministries from the 4 parts of the kingdom determine the policy of the Coast Guard. To streamline policy formulationthe Coast Guard's Commission has been formed. This committee consists of officials from different ministries. The Coast Guard Commission also ensures budgets and annual reports. The judicial policy of the Coast Guard is determined by the 3 Ministers of Justice of the countries of the Kingdom. Controlling the Coastguard executive in judicial matters is done through the Procurators-General of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The Secretary of Defense is on behalf of the State Ministers in charge of managing and controlling DCCG.Coast Guard support centers
DCCG has 3 Coast Guard support centers: on ArubaAruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
, Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
and St. Maarten. From here, the Coast Guard patrol boats patrol in the waters around the islands. The flying units of the Coast Guard are stationed at the Hato
Hato International Airport
Hato International Airport or Curaçao International Airport is the airport of Willemstad, Curaçao. It has services to the Caribbean region, South America, North America and Europe...
military airbase in Curaçao. The Coast Guard Center / RCC itself is located in Curaçao, the naval base Parera.
Units
DCCG has its own units and also makes use of defense resources (mainly from the RNLN, a ship and staff). DCCG has several private owned types of patrol boats,cutters and aircraft.Cutters
The three Coast Guard cutters, the Jaguar, the Panther and Puma, are DamenDamen
-CTA stations:*Damen on the Brown Line*Damen on the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line*Damen on the Pink Line-Others:*Damen Group, a Dutch shipbuilding company...
built Stan Patrol 4100
Damen Stan 4207 patrol vessel
The Damen Stan Patrol 4100, Damen Stan Patrol 4207 and Damen Stan Patrol 4708 are three related designs from the Damen Group, a Dutch shipbuilding firm.The Stan 4207 design are patrol vessels.They are wide, and can travel at 22 knots....
s. They are designed for service in the inland waterways of the Caribbean islands. The cutters are suitable for carrying out all coast guard tasks. With the onboard RHIB
Rigid-hulled inflatable boat
A rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rigid-inflatable boat is a light-weight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. The design is stable and seaworthy...
, boarding operations can be performed. The cutter is over 41 metres (134.5 ft) long, has an crew of eleven and a speed exceeding 26 knots (51 km/h).
Each boat has radar, infrared cameras, night vision binoculars, an ION-scan, a fixed 12,7mm Machinegun and a movable fire spray. Furthermore, they are equipped with photographic and video equipment to collect evidence.
Inshores
The Inshores are mostly deployed within a mile from the coast. The boats of the type RHIB Sea 700 are in service in the Coast Guard since September 13, 1997. They have a curb and therefore very suitable for carrying out boarding operations on other boats without damaging them. In addition, the Inshores, with a speed above 40 knots (78.4 km/h), is very quick and well able to chase suspicious boats and arrest suspects. The Coast Guard has six Inshores.Super RHIBS
The Coast Guard has twelve Super Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or SuperRhibs. These high-speed boats, capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) and highly maneuverable, are very suitable for carrying out boarding operations. The crew of the SuperRHIB can be up to 6 people. The SuperRHIBs have a length of 12.2 metres (40 ft), a width of 3.3 metres (10.8 ft), a height of 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) and a weight of 6000 pounds (2,721.6 kg). Whereas the Inshores operate mostly close to shore, the SuperRHIBs operate at much wider and longer distance at sea. The inboard diesel engines and the longer form of the hull allow the SuperRHIB to deal with even worse weather conditions while maintaining good sailing characteristics.AS355
DCCG employs a Eurocopter AS355Eurocopter AS355
The Eurocopter AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale...
helicopter for high speed chase, and search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
operations. The AS-355 helicopter is stationed at Hato Coast Guard Support Center.
DASH-8
Since the autumn of 2007, the NA&A CG has two Bombardier Dash 8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (designated MPA-D8). These planes are built to the specific needs of NA&A CG, based on the Coast Guard tasks such as Search And Rescue, fisheries and environmental monitoring. These two Dash-8 aircraft equipped with modern means of day and at night to obtain optimal results in the performance of its duties. These resources include specially designed for hatch'es dropping life rafts and drift / marker buoys, a high power searchlight in the nose of the aircraft with the aim to see and be seen in search situations, a good radar, good communication and interlink software system. All these resources make it the ideal airplane is a coordinating role between various units and the RCC.Besides these functions, both MPA-D8 can be deployed before, during and after hurricane passages to move people and resources to those areas that need help. For these missions the D8s will be converted into transport aircraft configurations.
West Indies Guard Ship
The so called West Indies Guard Ship (WIGS) is a ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy that rotates about every six months. It is usually a frigateFrigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
but it can also be another naval vessel. This vessel usually carries a Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
helicopter for SAR tasks and pursuit of suspect vessels.
A special boarding team
Law Enforcement Detachments
Law Enforcement Detachments or LEDETs are specialized, deployable maritime law enforcement teams of the United States Coast Guard. First established in 1982, their primary mission is to deploy aboard U.S. and allied naval vessels to conduct and support law enforcement, interdiction, or security...
from the U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
can be embarked on board the WIGS, authorized to carry out boardings beyond the territorial waters of the Dutch Caribbean islands. This cooperation between Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, the United States, and other actors is formalized in the Joint Interagency Task Force South
Joint Interagency Task Force South
Joint Interagency Task Force South is a multiservice, multiagency national task force based at Naval Air Station Key West , Key West, Florida....
, situated in Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
, Florida, United States.
Personnel
DCCG has approximately 160 personnel. Of these, 140 come from the Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, and 20 from the Royal Netherlands Navy. These 160 consist mostly of personnel actually deployed to carry out operations and the occupation of the Coast Guard bases. In addition, there are about 15 employees who staff the Operations Center / RCC 24 hours a day.See also
- Netherlands CoastguardNetherlands CoastguardThe Netherlands Coastguard or Nederlandse Kustwacht is a national organisation responsible for various services along the Netherlands' coast line ....
(Nederlandse Kustwacht) – a national organisation responsible for various services along the Dutch ocean coast line (mainly search and rescue services)