Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Coast Guard (GC) carried out 23 “successful” search and rescue operations in the space of a year, resulting in 37 people being saved, and 50 missions to transport patients involving 62 people in need.
The figures were revealed today, in São Vicente, by the commander of the Coast Guard, Captain Armindo Graça, at the public ceremony celebrating the 31st anniversary of this branch of the Armed Forces, held today at the Jotamonte Academy.
The same source regretted, however, that one of the 23 search and rescue operations was unsuccessful and that, in relation to the transport of patients, he explained, most of them took place on the Brava-Fogo route.
Regarding fishing inspections, the CG, according to the same source, conducted missions off the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Fogo and Brava, with boarding and investigations of vessels, carried out together with fishing inspectors and support from foreign resources from Senegal, Portugal, France and Italy, among others, to carry out the missions.
Sea Captain Armindo Graça once again referred to the need for the Coast Guard to be equipped with drones, equipment that, in his view, would add “great value” to its capabilities in various operational sectors, including maritime patrols, search and rescue, inspection and monitoring of target or suspect vessels, among others.
On the occasion, he took the opportunity to announce that “soon” a study under preparation for the acquisition of drones will be submitted to the higher authorities of the Armed Forces, focusing on the type that could provide “greater coverage of the extensive” Special Economic Zone (EEZ), associated costs and the possibility of transmitting data directly to the centres for later use.
On the occasion of its 31st anniversary, celebrated today, the Coast Guard was publicly praised by the General Staff of the Armed Forces for its “excellence” in the performance of its duties, which was extended to its entire team.
The Coast Guard’s core missions include the security and defence of air and sea spaces under national jurisdiction, the protection of economic interests at sea and the provision of the public search and rescue service, among others.
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