ROYAL GRENADA POLICE FORCE COAST GUARD
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Historical Background Structure and Organization Missions Training Exercises
Motto: We serve to save
The current version of the Grenada Coast Guard was formed in 1984. Initially sixteen persons were recruited to form the core nucleus for the rebuilding process with a further sixteen recruited the following year. They underwent a six month training regime staged by members of the Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard who assisted tremendously with the unit's early development. The unit's initial equipment/vessels were three 28ft Fairy Marine fast patrol craft, a legacy of the revolutionary period; one 52ft Patrol Boat and a Brooke Marine 40ft fast patrol Craft. In December 1984 the Coast Guard received and commissioned a 106ft patrol boat, Tyrrel bay, which even today is still the Unit's main platform for conducting blue water operations and effecting search and rescue. Between the years 1986 - 88 the Coast Guard disposed of its original fleet and subsequently, over the years other vessels were added to the fleet. The Coast Guard now has a mix of vessels commensurate with its multi mission/tasking responsibilities.
The Royal Grenada Police Force Coast Guard
is headed
by a Superintendent who reports directly to Assistant Commissioner
of Police Operations at Police Headquarters. The Unit's manpower is divided
between seagoing crews for the patrol boats and shore base support staff. 
The
Unit Commander has full operational command over the main base at True Blue and
four patrol vessels. The Coast Guard establishment stands at 41 personnel, although
current strength is far below this, who
are posted to the various departments within the Coast Guard; namely, Engineering,
[ AC&R, diesel, electrical/electronics and outboard motors] Operations
[ navigation, Deck Operations, logistics ,Maritime
Law enforcement] and Administration.
The Coast Guard missions can be grouped into two main headings:
Maritime Law Enforcement
The major percentage of the Coast Guard underway (sea going) time involves enforcing Grenada's Maritime laws, with particular emphasis on illicit drug trafficking. Other law enforcement issues include the enforcement of immigration, customs, fisheries, maritime parks laws and the regulation of water borne beach activities.
Maritime Safety
The Coast Guard is Grenada's on scene coordinator for containment and recovery of oil spill and other hazardous spills. In addition to this the Coast Guard is also tasked with the responsibility for effecting search and rescue. Over the past 15 years the Coast Guard has effected over 1500 search and rescue (SAR) operations involving over 5000 lives. The maritime area of responsibility is approximately 12,000 square miles. The RGPF CG maintains a listening watch on international distress frequencies on a 24hr basis. Boating Safety and Marine Inspection may be future roles for the Coast Guard.
All Coast Guard personnel undergo initial
Police training at the Training School (Fort George). On completion of this
training they are sent to the regional coast 
guard
training academy in Antigua to undergo basic and intermediate maritime and
military training. Ratings ( sergeants and below) are further sent to the
UK, USA and Canada for specialization in navigation engineering diving and other
skills. The gazetted officers are sent to similar locations with the
emphasis on acquiring command and management skills.
The Coast Guard participates in regional multinational exercises designed to enhance capacity and foster greater cooperation. Some of these exercises include Trade winds, UNIX and Weed eater which also involves US UK and Dutch forces.