Big Creek's Strategic Importance
Yesterday we took you to Big Creek, where the Coast Guard will be setting up a permanent presence. The activity that happens at the port everyday, combined with the criminals who use those waters for cross border fishing and drug trafficking, prompted the Coast Guard and the government to construct a forward operating base.
And yesterday evening, they broke ground, and before the end of the year, Big Creek residents can get used to seeing the officers in and out of the sea, keeping their waters safe.
Courtney Menzies travelled south yesterday and has this story.
Courtney Menzies:
The Belize Coast Guard is coming to Big Creek.
Today ground was broken for a brand new operating base, eliminating the 2 hour trip from the headquarters, and ensuring the safety of those who traverse the southern waters.
Lt. Comm. Audibaldo Monima, Belize Coast Guard
"The safety of the port of Big Creek, that's one of our strategic goals we have here conducting this base, also to conduct different time of maritime investigations in the sort of any spills or anything happening in the region, this is a busy port community and one of our most important that we want to achieve is to cut down the drug trafficking here down south and all the contraband that's occurring down south in this part of the region."
"Having this base here would be a significant change in the tempo of operations, we're going to be here 24/7, as a result we can launch operations from here, and as like I mentioned earlier, we going to provide safety and protection to all the mariners at sea, we're also going to protect the port and we're also going to be here to expand the prospect of the Belize Coast Guard when it comes to maritime operations."
And these waters aren't just plagued by drug traffickers and smugglers, but it's also a target for illegal fishers and pirates. And according to the Minister of National Defence, the activity and the revenue the port generates is the main reason it needs to be secured.
Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense
"The port of Big Creek is of vital interest to our nation, one that provides facilities for the export of our natural resources such as crude oil and agricultural products such as banners, citrus, and recently, sugar. It is estimated that over 250 tons of cargo is exported yearly through big creek, this amounts to 7% of our national GDP that transits the Port of Big Creek. With such a critical importance to our national economy, the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security considers that a Coast Guard station at this facility is non-discretionary."
"The coast guard patrols at Little Water Caye, Laughing Bird Caye, Abalone Caye, Hunting Caye, all form a safety and security network for the support of shipping and other activities in our southern waters."
And while the plan to build a base in Big Creek has long been in the pipeline, the partnership with the port made it a lot easier:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We are very grateful to the Big Creek Port who donated this land and this is an example of a partnership between government and private sector, so they donated this piece of land, we already that's open, the other there is soon going to be finished, and then we're doing this one that we just did the groundbreaking for. This will allow the Coast Guard to be even more effective, more efficient in our fight against drug traffickers, against the pirates and illegal fishing and all of that so I am very pleased, I am very honored to be invited and to be a part of this very historic occasion."
And while the first two buildings at the base are nearing completion, the entire project will take three years and will also see the construction of a marina for their in-house vessels.
The entire project will take three years to complete, and will cost over $800,000.
Channel 7
AmbergrisCaye.com 
