WILLEMSTAD.-In recent weeks, the Coast Guard, with military assistance in the Caribbean, has stepped up surveillance of our waters and coastlines. This intensification is the result of the corona crisis that is gripping the world and the islands. Due to the crisis, all maritime borders of the islands are closed to non-regular shipping.
Only freight traffic is allowed to sail in the territorial waters of the islands. Local licensed fishermen have also been granted an exemption to fish in territorial waters because they have a vital function. The intensive coastal surveillance focuses in particular on maritime transport of goods and persons that tries to reach the islands illegally and, in addition to a criminal risk, also poses a COVID-19 risk to our islands. The successful collaboration is paying off as no illegal shipments have been observed in recent weeks.
The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the maritime borders and coasts in the coming period and the intensification with the assistance of Defense will be maintained. In addition to Zr.Ms Zeeland, Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman under the flag of the Coast Guard, are deployed around the Leeward Islands. Zr.Ms. Doorman is also used for transport throughout the Caribbean region.
The Coast Guard calls on all citizens who observe suspicious situations at sea and along the coastlines to call the emergency number 913. Vessels at sea can contact the Rescue and Coordination Center of the Coast Guard via VHF channel 16 to observe suspicious and /or dangerous situations. With your cooperation, we keep the sea and the coastlines of the islands safe during the corona crisis.
