WILLEMSTAD – The Caribbean Coast Guard is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of growth into a professional and widely respected maritime security partner at both local and international levels.
The foundation for what is now the Caribbean Coast Guard was laid on February 1, 1996. What began as a modest collaboration between the port police, the former Netherlands Antilles Militia and the Dutch Ministry of Defence—operating from portacabins and a simple barracks serving as a Rescue and Coordination Center—has evolved over the past thirty years into a fully fledged organization providing round-the-clock maritime security throughout the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
In its early years, approximately 80 percent of the Coast Guard’s personnel consisted of defence staff, with the remaining 20 percent recruited locally. That balance has since reversed. Today, around 80 percent of the Coast Guard’s workforce is locally employed, reflecting the organization’s strong local roots and its sustainable development within the region.
The Coast Guard experienced rapid operational growth from the outset. In 1999, the first cutters entered service, starting with the Jaguar in Curaçao, followed by the Panter in Aruba and the Poema in Sint Maarten. Over the years, the fleet was expanded and modernized with patrol vessels, inshore craft, SuperRHIBs and later Metal Shark boats. Airborne capacity was also developed through the deployment of Coast Guard aircraft and helicopters, supported by the base at Hato and an extensive radar network.
Training and professional development have consistently been central to the organization’s mission. Beginning with the first Initial Coast Guard Training program in 1998, the training system evolved through the Basic Coast Guard Training and, since 2024, the Junior Coast Guard Crew Member program. This current program leads to a recognized secondary vocational (SBO-2) diploma, underscoring the professionalization of the service.
Over time, the Coast Guard’s operational approach shifted from a primarily reactive model to intelligence-led policing. Through improved information management, advanced technology and close cooperation with partner agencies, the Coast Guard has become a key link in the wider security chain across the Caribbean region.
Looking ahead, the Director of the Caribbean Coast Guard expressed pride in the organization’s journey and confidence in its future. “What once started small and provisional has grown into a mature and fully-fledged chain partner, respected nationally and internationally. We are 30 years stronger, but this is not an endpoint. In the coming years, we will focus on quality—30 times better—with our people as our greatest strength,” the director said.
With the planned transition to a fully operational 24/7 intelligence-led organization in early 2026 and an expansion to approximately 320 positions, the Coast Guard says it is well prepared for future challenges. The 30th anniversary therefore represents not only a moment of reflection, but also a decisive step forward.
The milestone was celebrated with simultaneous anniversary receptions in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, symbolizing the close cooperation between the three countries since the Coast Guard’s establishment in 1996. That cooperation, the organization says, has been instrumental in shaping the Caribbean Coast Guard into a strong and reliable security partner for the region.
