Navy resumes drug hunting in Caribbean
THE HAGUE - The patrol ship HNLMS Holland left for the Caribbean today from Den Helder. As a result, Defense will get a station ship in the area again after a few months.
The Holland is expected to arrive in Willemstad on May 26. The crew focuses, among other things, on operations against terrorism and piracy and on combating drugs. This is done in collaboration with chain partners such as the Caribbean Coast Guard and the American Commander Task Group 4.4. The vessel, an oceangoing patrol vessel (OPV), carries an NH90 maritime combat helicopter.
At the end of December last year, the previous station ship HNLMS Groninigen returned to the Netherlands due to technical problems. The ship made headlines last year when the on-board helicopter crashed into the sea near Aruba on July 19. Two of the four crew members were killed in the crash.
Dutch Navy picks Royal IHC for HNLMS Groningen repair work March 10, 2021, by Naida Hakirevic
Royal IHC and the Department of Material Maintenance (DMI) of the Royal Netherlands Navy signed a contract for the docking and repair of the Holland-class offshore patrol vessel HNLMS Groningen (P843).
The agreement was signed at a naval yard in Den Helder on 9 March 2021.
Photo: Royal IHC
HNLMS Groningen is currently back in the Netherlands due to issues with the propeller shaft on the starboard side.
In late December 2020, the ship had to return from its deployment in the Caribbean. The NH90 military helicopter on board the Groningen was also taken back to Den Helder. The Royal Netherlands Navy said it had no replacement ship for the Caribbean operations and the Caribbean Coast Guard took over the tasks. This is because the Royal Netherlands Navy logistic support vessel HNLMS Pelikaan, which is permanently based at Curaçao, is not suitab
The Netherlands and the Caribbean countries of the Kingdom present a joint protocol for strengthening border control
THE HAGUE - The Netherlands has drawn up a joint protocol for strengthening border control together with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In this protocol, it has been agreed that, in any case, additional investments will be made in border control for the next 7 years.
At the end of 2020, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten individually approved a political agreement with the Netherlands, in which, in addition to multi-year financial support, reforms are also required (included in the recently adopted implementation agendas). Part of this is the measure to strengthen border control. Agreements have also been made about cooperation between the local and Dutch border services.
Coast Guard coordinates rescue operation together with cruise ship
WILLEMSTAD - The cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey that sailed near Colombia received a mayday call last week via the VHF radio of a fishing boat in distress. The Spanish-speaking crew needed help because their fishing boat had capsized. The Rescue and Coordination Center (RCC) of the Caribbean Coast Guard, which is responsible for an extensive search and rescue area (sar area) in the Caribbean Sea, received the emergency report from the cruise ship.
A Metal Shark team consisting of coast guards and military officers have taken over the three men who were aboard the cruise ship. Upon arrival in Curaçao, the men were handed over to the local authorities.
Published: 17 December 2020
WILLEMSTAD: - After successfully completing their two-year training, yesterday nine new Coast Guard officers received their police diploma and their Coast Guard certificate from the Deputy Director of the Coast Guard, Eugene Middelhof, and the Caribbean team chief of the Dutch Police Academy, Rob Appelhof. The new officers received their diplomas and certificate during a ceremony at Naval Base Parera. The ceremony was held for a small group due to the COVID-19 measures, consisting of a number of family members and a select group of colleagues from the Coast Guard. The new Coast Guard officers will carry out the Coast Guard duties at the Dutch