WILLEMSTAD - After successfully completing their two-year training, nine aspirants received the police diploma and the coastguard certificate from the Deputy Director of the Coastguard, Eugene Middelhof and the Caribbean team chief of the Dutch Police Academy, Rob Appelhof last Wednesday. The aspirants received the diploma and certificate at a ceremony at Naval Base Parera. In connection with the corona measures, this ceremony was held with a very small group, consisting of a number of family members and a select group of colleagues from the Coast Guard. The new employees are now fully-fledged coast guards and will carry out the coast guard duties at the support points together with their colleagues on the sailing units.
The aspirants started at the Caribbean Police and Coast Guard Training Program (OCPK) in March 2018. The OCPK is the predecessor of the new Basic Coastguard Training (BOK). The aspirants, together with fellow students from the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN), have endured many physical, mental, and theoretical challenges. After completing police training at the KPCN, the aspirants followed a two-month nautical module for the Coast Guard. The nautical module teaches them to navigate, sail seamanship and board boats. During the ceremony, the Caribbean team chief of the Dutch Police Academy, Rob Appelhof, indicated in his speech that he is proud that the Police Academy has seen nine coastguard aspirants in the training. “We have seen you grow in spite of the sometimes difficult circumstances and doubts. Congratulations on your diploma.” After the team chief's speech, the Deputy Director of the Coast Guard, Eugene Middelhof, addressed the new coast guards: “Today is a special day for the Coast Guard, nine new coast guards will be working for the Coast Guard. Four new coast guards will be housed at the Aruba support center, three on Curaçao and two on Sint Maarten. You are at the beginning of a new chapter in your life! Strengthen the team at the support points, but also learn from fellow coast guards. Congratulations and good luck.”
The young aspirants have been looking forward to this day for over two years. After working hard and being away from home for a long time, it is now party time! The diplomas have been received and the real work at the Coast Guard can begin. From January 2021, the new coast guards will go to the coast guard support points on Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten where they will be deployed at sea together with the other coast guards.