Day of the Seafarer – A Message from Commander Mark Peterson
BDF Media Release| June 21
Photography: BDF Media
The contemporary security scene in the Caribbean is characterized by complexity, change, and challenge. These challenges can be manifested in its relatively large maritime geographic area, in addition to its vast interconnected sea lines of communication. The Caribbean Sea is ranked as one of the principal waterways in the world and covers an area of 2,515,900 square kilometres. In addition, the region dominates critical sea lines of communication, all converging at one of the world’s most prominent choke points, the Panama Canal. Therefore, increased maritime activities can pose a threat to coastal States as the region it is classified as having one of the most intensive maritime traffic sectors in the world.
The theme for 2021 Day of the Seafarer, “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future,” seeks to increase the visibility of the seafarers by drawing attention to the invaluable role they play now and will continue to play in the future. With 71 percent of the earth’s surface covered by the sea, it is axiomatic that more than 90 percent of global trade is conducted by way of the world’s oceans. Ships ply regional and international waters in growing numbers, increasing the opportunities for exploitation of vessels and seafarers.
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Thus, maritime security is pivotal to safeguarding international trade and preserving the safety of mariners. The areas from which ships and maritime operations need protecting include terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal trafficking of goods and people, illegal fishing and pollution.
As the industry evolves and the Blue Economy grows, vigilance, enforcement, and training will have to keep up with technology and increased opportunity for threats. The Barbados Coast Guard shall play its part in creating a safe and secure maritime environment with emphasis on ensuring, in so far as is possible, that seafarers are better protected from the criminals that would do them harm, wherever threats are present. Through supervision, inspection and proactive procedures, the Barbados Coast Guard will continue its best to minimize threats to maritime safety and security.
HAPPY SEAFARER DAY
PER DEO, PER MARE!
Commander Mark Peterson is the Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard.
Commodore (Cdre) Errington Ricardo Shurland was appointed Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 1 September 2021. He enlisted in the BDF in February 1984 and in a military career spanning over 34 years, has served in various operational and administrative appointments.
Colonel Glyne Grannum joined the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 18 October 1985 and underwent career development training at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School, Chilliwack and the Combat Training Centre, Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada. He subsequently attended the Infantry Training Centre and the Signal Wing in Warminster, UK (PCBC and RSO Courses respectively), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy; the Lester Pearson Canadian Peacekeeping Centre, the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Toronto, the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army People’s Republic of China and the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, National Defence University, Washington. He also attended a Defence Resources Management programme at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada. In addition to being a qualified infantry officer, Col Grannum is a qualified Regimental Signals Officer and a former Operations Officer and Finance Officer of the BDF.
Colonel Banfield joined the Barbados Battalion of the South Caribbean Force in 1941 having just left the Cadet Corps at Combermere School, and was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1942. He was a Platoon Commander and a Company Commander during the war and served in Barbados, Dominica (as part of the Gale Force), St Lucia and St Vincent.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Colin Marshall is a graduate of the St Michael, and was born on the 5 November 1969 and enlisted in the Barbados Defence Force on 16 August 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in August 1997, Corporal in 1999, Sergeant in 2007, Color Sergeant in 2014, Warrant Officer Class Two in 2017 and Warrant Officer Class One in 2020. He was Most Outstanding Student on Junior Leadership Course in 1998, the Most Outstanding Student on Junior Non Commissioned Officer Cadre in Jamaica in 2000, best at Leadership on the Search Adviser Course in Jamaica in 2007 and the Most Outstanding Student on the Warrant Officer Course in Jamaica in 2015.
