The Government of Guyana in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard yesterday carried out a national level maritime port security exercise and evaluation, GINA reported.
The exercise was aimed to test and evaluate the response, efficiency and preparedness of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Ambulance Service and the Guyana Coast Guard should there be an attempted act of terrorism in the country’s internationally recognised port facilities. Yesterday’s exercise was held at SOL’s port in Agricola.
Dwain Nurse, Chief Port Security Officer, told GINA that it was a national exercise required by the International Port and Security Code. The codes states that all ports handling international ships are required to conduct such an exercise at least once a year, but not exceeding eight months.
The exercise revolved around the transporting of arms to Berbice for a “criminal” in Agricola who had infiltrated the officers at the base. The moving of weapons by water was chosen by the “criminal” due to increased patrols on the East Bank Demerara and West Coast Berbice.
The evaluation phase of the exercise would see the US Coast Guard Service and the Guyana Government assessing the outcome, GINA said.
Eric May, of the US Coast Guard, International Port Security Programme said that they were invited by Government to evaluate the exercise. Noting that it was going well, he told GINA that since the implementation of the Code, a security plan was required by all ports which must be tested.
Upon successful completion and evaluation of the simulation exercise, Guyana would be prepared strategically to handle security emergencies at all international port facilities, GINA said.
