WILLEMSTAD - On August 19, 2020, Brigadier General of the Navy Peter Jan de Vin handed over his position of Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean, also Director of the Coast Guard for the Caribbean, and Commander Task Group 4.4 to Brigadier General of the Navy Frank Boots.
The transfer of command took place at the Rima jetty at the Parera naval base in Curaçao.
Brigadier General of the Navy Peter Jan de Vin thanked everyone in his speech for the pleasant cooperation during the past three years. After Brigadier General de Vin's speech, the new General Boots addressed the guests.
“It is a great honor for me to stand before you here as Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean, Director of the Coast Guard and Task Force Commander 4.4. Despite the fact that cultures are different from each other, it is nice to see that you can come together and work together on a safe future for all residents. My aim is to understand your culture and to connect with you. Only together can we perform the tasks for which we are responsible. It is beautifully reflected in our motto: “Together Strong”. Let us form a team together to make all our countries within the Kingdom stronger and safer,” said Frank Boots the new director of the Caribbean Coast Guard.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries and guests. The Governor of Curaçao, Lucille George-Wout and Commander of the Naval Forces Vice-Admiral, Rob Kramer from the Netherlands were guests. Due to COVID-19 measures, many guests could not travel to Curaçao to attend the ceremony. The ceremony was also broadcasted via livestream on Facebook so that everyone could follow it live.
The personnel appointed during the ceremony consisted of; the armed guard consisting of drums and pipers of the Marine Corps and a composite platoon from personnel of the Curaçao Militia, the Charlie Tijger Company of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Airmobile Brigade and personnel of the Command of the Naval Forces, CZSK personnel, a detachment Coastguard for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, a detachment of civilian personnel from CZMCARIB and a detachment of the Army Company in the West and the station ship for the Caribbean Zr.Ms. Groningen.
The ceremony ended with a reception in the longroom at the Parera naval bases where all invited guests could enjoy a delicious meal. The Coast Guard staff wishes the new director Boots the best of luck in his new position.