RCIPS tackles drugs & gangs
(CNS): There are indications that the Cayman Islands is being used as a hub for significant quantities of cocaine trafficking, Police Commissioner David Baines said at an RCIPS press briefing Wednesday. Recently there were two significant seizures in the UK of cocaine from flights from Cayman – one of 6 kilos and one of 10 kilos – within a 2 week period and around the same time 44 kilos of cocaine washed up on a beach in the Cayman Islands. He said it was apparent that there were increasing levels of cocaine distributed on island and the purity of cocaine recovered here was “about as pure as you can get”, unlike in UK where it has been considerably doctored down. This suggested that it was “straight from the production side,” Baines said. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
The fact that it was discovered on these flights indicated that Cayman is part of the transshipment of the drug. However,there were also signs that it is being distributed locally. In the UK they found that the advent of the use of cocaine by users corresponded to the advent of street robberies as the need for quick money resulted in increasingly bold crime. Baines said the RCIPS was seeing some of that here. With a threat of violence or actual violence in the majority of robberies last year that was "wholly disproportionate to the spoils", Bains asked why the perpetrators would risk ten year’s imprisonment for firearms crime for relatively small amounts of money, and suggested it was a sign of illicit drug users.
Chief Superintendent John Jones noted that nasty violent crimes were symptomatic of crack cocaine users, a theory supported by seizures of crack.
In enforcement of boarder control it is important to work with partners across region, such as Honduras, Jamaica and US, to stop drugs and the firearms that often comes with them coming into the islands, Baines said. Asked what the RCIPS needs in terms of equipment and resources, the commissioner said it was a question that should be looked at on a regional basis; there was a need to operate in the Caribbean as a regionand coordinate endeavours. There is little point, for example, in having radar capacity that doesn’t link into with Jamaica or Honduras, he pointed out.
The US recognizes the threat, not least because their efforts to stem the drugs coming across the Mexican border will increase the threat of drugs coming through the Caribbean, the commissioner said, noting that US President Obama, under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, promised $42million to that end last year and up to $70million this year.
“That’s about giving us some capability to fill the intelligence and information gap to make the best use of the resources you’ve got,” he said. The helicopter can go out 60 miles off the coast at times and conditions when traditionally we’ve experience vessels coming to us, he said, but if it’s covering the area from Jamaica, it’s not covering the area from Honduras. He also said the RCIPS vessels were “fit for purpose” but the issue was how to make sure they were in the right place at the right time – which comes down to intelligence and information to identify suspect vessels and see where they are.
He said this was why looking collectively at the provision of wider radar coverage in the Caribbean was important.
Baines said he was pretty certain that some of the robberies on Grand Cayman were gang initiation ceremonies, to prove they had what it takes to act in criminal manner, and the crimes provided immediate funds for drugs and alcohol for gang members. This was one possible explanation why small amounts cash were targeted from vulnerable places, such as pizza parlours and corner shops.
Last year Baines had said there was a small group of men who were mostly responsible for the island’s murders. On Wednesday he said that fourteen men were now in custody, some primary gunmen and many that people in the community knew were involved. Other individuals were dead, the victims other gang members. He said there were a few gunmen still in the community and 2 individuals had left the jurisdiction.
“We stand at a crossroads,” Baines said, when asked about a possible new wave of recruits into gangs. “We are not going to arrest and convict our way out of a pool of individuals who have no stake in society, who would rather be part of a gang and have some status or respect within that gang, and some will always step in to be the head or the most violent in that gang.” The challenge for the RCIPS was to arrest them as quickly as possible, he said.
“Regrettably, there are gang members across the island, maybe not wanting to shoot and kill each other, but they engage in criminality at whatever level,” he said. “There will always be those people at the far edge who will bethe enforcers or the violent or the gunmen in those gangs. They are our priority because they are the most dangerous. Equally, there is a pool out there willing to be soldiers to step into vacancies we created.”
Category: Headline News
Cayman has been a drugs/firearms transhipment point for many years now. Looking back to when I was growing up in West Bay 25 years ago I can remember buckets of ganja and bags of cocaine washing up on our shores. The Colombian cartels were very active in using Cayman and still do so, today we’re now caught up in the Mexican cartel cycle. According to regional security experts drug dealers are trading firearms in exchange for drugs which is then exported to Europe & US. Cayman is now being closely watched by European & US Customs as a major drug supplier. We have to get tough soon and start monitoring our waters as this is the main area for drug/firearm smuggling.
I suggest that we get our coast lines protected with Coast Guard and Naval vessels ( bases), set up in Barkers, East End and Cayman Brac. For too long we’ve been promised that there’ll be actions taking in fighting gangs and drug dealers yet I’m sorry but not much has happen. The facts are clear that after the Task Force under Derek Haines was disbanding and US Coast Gurad Airport closed more drugs has been coming in to Cayman. Mr. Baines, please look in to using skilled Caymanian seaman as allies in combating drug smuggling as they have knowledge in being able to assist the RCIPS. Firearms are used for robberies for cash to pay for drug purchases. I’m positive that Cayman will soon get this mess sorted yet it has to be done now and not next year as the old saying goes “evil is always at work” so start being more active. Residents it’s for your own good to support the Police in fighting crime.
Blessings to all.
As reported the Police Commissioner hase indications that the Cayman Islands is being used as a hub for significant quantities of cocaine trafficking. Wow, the penny has dropped at last. It has been known for many years that Cayman is a major hub for cocaine with the stuff moving from SouthAmerica to the states via cayman. Tackling the problem is going to be a non starter for the Police Commissioner. Good Luck.
I haven’t read all the comments here, but most are of the same flavour. Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave. Once again you have shown your utter ineptitude and lack of understanding of the culture within which you work. Once again you react ‘after the fact’ about issues facing the people of the Cayman Islands. Frankly, if you trying to **** this up, you couldn’t do worse.
Radar? That was suggested and dismissed during the helicopter farce.
I have a suggestion, you shouldn’t have got rid of your most effective and productive K9 officer who made the most drug seizures, and many othergood officers, should you? XXXX
The truth shall prevail. Oh yes, and quotes.
I would caution against cooperating too much with Honduras and Jamaica, those Governments are extremely corrupt and I would not doubt that their intelligence guys work for drug smugglers and share police intelligence for a price.
I also note that when Sheldon Brown went to jail, some of his top people moved to England. One very high ranking individual in particular was recently “advertising” himself on facebook thats how I know. Perhaps he is linked to the cocaine shipments now heading across the pond?
Watch out Mr Baines, your probings in that specific area of policing will bring down the wrath of a very dangerous cabal that operates and moves on this island. XXXX The dismantling of the DTF was not an accident or by chance. Itwas a deliberate act sanctioned by those who made their bones in the "old business" and their political minions. Some of the very agent provocateurs still operate within your police service. Some you have weeded out but others remain. Tread carefully old boy and watch those that have your ear!
Eyes wide shut it is clearly too late and Cayman has long gone past the tipping point we are now blindly feeling around in this criminal abyss for answers and strategy and someone to blame.The problem is now the Cayman financial and political connected elites appointed to advise and implement strategy for some bizarre reason by the Governing power, simply know absolutely nothing about crime and are merely using this opportunity and information gathered about crime in Cayman, to further, protect and insulated themselves and their financial investments and personal interest,in Cayman. They clearly do not care about crime unless it effects their bottom line which it has started to do .The discussions amongst these little cliques is both sickening and shameful their utter disregard for the "little people" safety and welfare is very clear by their silence and inaction. Mr. Baines has now been place at the fore front between us the greater public and them and their economic decisions and policies to protect and take or deflect the blunt of complaints away from them not taking any blame or responsibility for these very reasons. When Mr. Baines ceases to function in that role as protector they will remove him and not us complaining and blaming him for being unable to deal with crime. Watch out Mr. Baines their little game has no rules sir! The time for action has past now is the time for senseless bickering. Like someone post Commissioner Baines should seek the advice of some of the old DTF Boys strategic advisors and stop listening to his pencil neck strategic masterminds he has employed. As for the National Security political council that should be disbanded immediately and stop wasting time.
Every time i hear the news and read the various news articles online and in print in regards to the latest statements made by the Commissioner of police i realize how backwards and far off target he is in (1) His knowledge of the illegal drug trade in the Caribbean and (2) His plans for combating drugs and crime on the Island.
His latest statement, "There are indications that the Cayman Islands is being used as a hub for significant quantities of cocaine trafficking", is and has been common knowledge for many years now. Cayman’s direct link with seaports and airports in the U.S. has been exploited by smugglers who traffic ganja and cocaine for many many years now. Seizures have been made in the U.S. from Cayman in many ways from false compartments in shipping containers, concealed in general cargo, concealed in false compartments on small private vessels, attached to the bottom of cruise ships, concealed in luggage of passengers disembarking from cruise ships and also in the luggage of and attached to the body of passengers arriving by commercial airliners.
For many years there was an excellent working relationship between "The Drug Squad/DTF" and U.S. Customs, DEA, U.S. Coast Guard, Jamaica Defense Force and other Law Enforcement Organizations through out the region which resulted in thousands of tons of illegal drugs seized and the successful prosecution of several high profile drug lords and organizations. Of course that was back in the day when the Police played a proactive role in Policing these islands and Drug Squad/DTF Officers were known, seen and respected throughout the Island.
The Commissioner’s statement made it seem like there has been some "great discovery" since there have been two cases of persons found attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the UK. If he wants really get an eye opener he should make enquiries into how many times shipments made it past the controls at the airports and seaports in the UK, USA and Canada without detection from Cayman. I would also suggest he take the time to talk to knowledgeable persons like Mr. Derek Haines and other retired officers who mad a huge impact on the illegal drug trade during there time in the service.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, the Commissioner’s policies and procedures in relation to serious crime are inadequate and sometime do not even make sense. example- In the US and Canada every time there is a armed robbery, burglary, assault, kidnapping or motor vehicle accident and there is video footage available, it is immediately distributed to the various tv stations and media houses so the images can be seen by persons while it is fresh in their minds in hopes of a quick identification and apprehension of the suspect. Not here. It seems those very important images are kept secret until a week or so later when they are released to the public along with a desperate plea from the police for help. By that time, the perpetrators are long gone or have had more than sufficient time to change their physical appearance or discard or destroy any items that could have been used to identify them.
We are loosing the battle against crime and drugs and the present policies and ways of Policing are not working. If this continues much longer there will be another generation "lost" and as the moral fiber of "Caymanians" is being stretched, we are but one step close to becoming a lawless land where to survive you need to adopt a "mercenary" mentality and look out for yourself.
God Help Us
The current Commissoner is always grasping at something new to divert attention away from his incompetent leadership. He is always trying to point the finger at others, first the US now the local media, who he did not tell acurate facts and instead made it look like the local media was not reporting facts but yet it was he was not not telling the chamber the correct information only to make him and his charge look better. See the Compass.
Now he is telling us in one breath that the coke is mostly for other countries and then in another our robberies are from by and large crack heads. Which is it. Now we have a robbery in DAYLIGHT, this time withing once again true walking distance from a Police Station. We need new leadership, get Buel Braggs back at the wheel ASAP!
i drove approximatly 40 miles last monday (a holiday) through 3 districts
never saw 1 police officer or a police vehicle. guess they were all on covert asignments.
i really do wish our country well AND INCOURAGE THOSE THAT KNOW THE CRIMIMALS TO MAKE THE CALL AND STOP THIS EVIL CANCER THAT IS AFFECTING EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE THAT KNOW,
and that the Police are always safe.
however it is not possible to prevent anything sitting at the station or while shopping waiting for a call.
when that happens the damage is already done. that’s reaction yes reaction NOT PREVENTION.
Gang activity is also a Public Health issue. It spreads like a virus. When one area becomes too "hot" gangs relocate to another, more vulnerable, area. These gangs seem like a hybrid mix, together for economic reasons. In the good old days it was the boys from W. Bay vs. GTown, etc.
Once a youngster’s neighbourhood is taken over, they may feel they have to join a gang for self-protection.
Baines needs to get a gang specialist and/or if he has one already, he needs to beef up the the public interaction.
Well this is hardly surprising. After all we have one guy here who was arrested and sentenced to 16 years for smuggling coke to the USA, and he has been out of Prison for 11 years. We have had many people who have been recovering from cocaine addiction for over 20 years.
Sorry Baineymon ya not a Police officer yet!
Gangs started to develop 30 years ago.
Political, school and church leaders were ignoring and denying it.
The crime we have now is a direct result of that.
It will only increase and reach levels of places like LA.
Tourists will stay away and Grand Cayman will end in gated communities for the wealthy and ghetto’s for the poor.
East end docks, private jets, north sound canal, IT center and a hospital for foreigners only will not make it better, only worse. Just a few will get rich by completely destroying this country.
But it is all your own fault, YOU voted these XXXX politicians in.
Smart thinking Batman! for what exactly are we paying Baines!?
Hey Commissioner – I think the school children in China could have told us what you did in your statement! I think you guys are so far behind with your “theory” it’s time to get “practical” and do something about these criminals! You claim you know who these fools are – get them and rehabilitate those that want to be helped and those who do not – keep them behind bars! Simple.
Anyone who actually attended the presentation by Commissioner Baines must have been impressed with the thoroughness, intelligence and commitment that he brought to the meeting. The statistics paint a very different picture from that generated by a casual reading of the local press, and a great deal of headway against crime has undoubtedly been made in recent months.
The report above is just a tiny part of the numerous issues he addressed, and I suggest that the next blogger who has anything negative to say about the RCIPS, reserves his comments until after attending the next open meeting addressed by Mr. Baines. At least give him that amount of respect. I know they will see things differently and be very glad that we have landed a Commissioner of his calibre. This island has so often lacked leadership where it is needed, but it’s not lacking here, and where he leads, the RCIPS rank and file will surely follow, given time. A transformation is happening.
And no, I have no connection with the RCIPS whatsoever, but I do believe that Cayman has grounds for great optimism after what I witnessed at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. When you throw the wheel on a big ship it takes a long while for its mass to respond, but once it does, nothing will stop it.
CNS: Just to note, this article is on the earlier press briefing. A report on the meeting with the Chamber is forthcoming.
Whilst I fully support the sentiments in your comment it has to be remembered that Commissioner Baines came from Cheshire Constabulary, a largely rural police force covering nearly 950 square miles with a population of close to 1 million, boasting over 2000 officers and a annual budget of £173 million (roughly CI$220 million).
That’s a fairly big ship.
He was an Assistant Chief Constable, that’s pretty close to the helm of that ‘fairly big ship’.
By comparison the RCIPS is tramp steamer but, as any seaman will tell you, they come with their own set of rules and problems.
He now has roughly one-sixth of the manpower he was used to, covering about one-tenth of the area and with a fraction of the population.
But Cheshire averages just 10 murders and about 50 firearms offences a year – that’s a way lower rate based on population than in the Cayman Islands right now.
Despite being located right next door to Stuart Kernohan’s former employer Greater Manchester Police (GMP), where the murder rate is about 10 times higher than it is in Cheshire plus there are serious drug, firearms and gang related issues amongst a population of about 2.5 million policed by over 8000 officers, Cheshire is a relatively small, low crime rate area and that’s where Mr Baines experience was gained. I understand from GMP that they routinely deploy specialist armed officers up to ten times a day 24/7, by comparison in Cheshire firearms units are apparently very rarely required.
I think he’s just out of his depth here. It’s one of these cases where you have to ask, “He can talk the talk but can he walk the walk?”
As someone else has observed Cayman is, sadly, drifting into an area of policing where the good old ‘British Bobby’ approach just doesn’t work any more.
Right, get the record straight. David Baines came from the background of Greater Manchester Police, where he was a divisional commander for the worst inner city areas of Manchester, where gangs killed more than they do here, and the underworld were real gangsters, not the pretend ones we have here. From there he went to Cheshire, having been commended for his leadership. Prior to that, he took over Oldham (in manchester) after they had some of the worst race riots seen in mainland UK in recent years, and was well respected for the way he turned that area around. You all need to pay attention to what he is saying, and to that of his other senior officers, who are doing what they are paid for. They do know what they are doing, it is just some people here will not realise how committed they are. But it is also good to see that others on here can see the message.
So why isn’t he doing this here?! It’s out of control already and really if he was that good over there why isn’t he doing the same for us here? We’re just not seeing results just more and more crime which is escalating in violence. It’s heartbreaking.
But that’s rather the point: the perception is that it’s out of control, but it’s not. Between 2008 & 2009 there was a rise in TOTAL crime of 13.67%. In SERIOUS crime there was a rise of 11.27% – these are double digit rises. In the past year, the first full year of the Commissioner being here, the rise in TOTAL crime was 4.31% and the rise in SERIOUS crime was 0.13%. Crime is NOT escalating out of control. Before crime rates can drop, they have to stop increasing, and that is what the figures show is happening. We will only know how successful the Commissioner has been this time next year. Then we will know if this reduction in the rate of increase is a fluke, or the start of a trend.
From this man’s record he get’s results – but there is no such thing as an easy fix – these things take time. It’s taken 30 years for Cayman to get into this mess, it’ll take more than 18 months of good leadership to dig it out.
…"perception" is reality for most people…
and if most people perceive that they are not safe, then guess what?? This attitude will influence everything they do and say…
as far as those puported statistics that everyone seems to be so proud of…I say Rubbish…Statistics can be made to say whatever your goal is..so if you want "Serious" crime to be low…then you just change what constitutes "Serious" crime…etc., etc.. The RCIP(s) is manipulating the information to suit their purposes…plain and simple…CRIME is up…and NO amount of "cooking the books" is going to make that go away…
Please back up your statement with verifiable facts. When the RCIPS changed their method of counting crime back around 2007/8 they told us. The statistics that were made available (see the Cayman 27 website) clearly state what is and is not a serious crime and a volume crime and what total crime is. There is no change in classification between the two years, and a murder is a murder – you certainly can’t tell me the police are manipulating those figures?! You are typical of the people shouting their mouths off and creating problems within the community, who don’t have any factual evidence for what they are claiming. Go to bed please and let the rest of us work towards getting our beautiful islands back on track.
What exactly are YOU doing to "work towards getting our beautiful islands back on track"???
I do not shout my mouth off and create problems within the community, as you put it..BUT I do have a Healthy dose of SKEPTICISM for EVERYTHING that comes out of the mouths of the Senior leadership of the RCIP(s)…my reason for that is valid and No, it’s none of your business why….
‘…..and the underworld were real gangsters, not the pretend ones we have here.’
Isn’t that where it all starts?
Where did the the ‘real gangsters’ in Manchester originally come from?
Home grown in Salford! ALL white. Moss Side – West Indian origin, mostly Jamaica. And your point is?
One Question!! Where are those 15 people (offenders) the Commissioner once spoke about, advising us that "they" (I presume he meant the RCIPS) KNOW who these individuals are, those that are committing the crimes?
I’m rolling my eyes in confussion because since that time (almost 1 1/2 yrs ago) of his announcement, the serious crimes of armed robbies, bank robberies, muggings with grevious body harm have CONTINUED to be committed.
WHERE are those 15 offenders, mr. Commissioner????
"Last year Baines had said there was a small group of men who were mostly responsible for the island’s murders. On Wednesday he said fourteen men were now in custody, some primary gunmen and many that people in the community knew were involved. Other individuals were dead, the victims other gang members. He said there were a few gunmen still in community and 2 individuals had left the jurisdiction"
cant’ u read?
How many people are there in Cayman? How on earth have the police have lost control? The Governor needs to be held accountable and the LA should challenge him.
I do hope the final paragraph of Commissioner Baines report be of some concern to the residents of Cayman, and not just taken as a grain of salt. It is time we the residents of Cayman accept that we are apart of this far edge enforcement he speaks about, if we do not try and help our young people in encouraging them to do the right things. Give them jobs, invite them to church, help them get homes and invite them to social activities. It is the duty of each person living on this Island to be concerned. After all we should realize that crime in our community effects us all. Even if it has not reached our door steps, it reaches our minds and instil fear. Be kind and encourage the youth because you never can tell what your child or grandchild may turn out to be. Last but not least support your police force.
How can one read this article and not post a comment with some sort of sarcasm. I am hoping the Commish is only making refference to what’s already known and not reffering to some “new discovery”.
What intelligence was used to determine there is cocaine in the Cayman Islands? Next thing we hear will be that there are guns in the hands of criminals in the Cayman Islands.
Mr Baines is like RIP Van Winkle, it seems he has just awaken to what everyone else has at least suspected for a while.
Now to arms Mr Baines…
If being in a gang and displaying your "colors" is a crime (and I think it is) it is time for the RCIP to address this.
The East End Surf Challenge was a great afternoon filled with very nice family events. I took visiting tourists there and we all had a lovely time tasting the fish tea and watching the jet-skis.
However, even as a 46 year old white lady from the USA suburbs, even I noticed young people entering the beach wearing "colors". Why did the police and security not question these people? Both girls and boys alike were displaying gang colors and symbols.
The was a very GOOD police presence, now please crack down on the gangs.
The officers were too busy trying to muzzle dogs to notice!
The issue of the Cayman Islands being used as a trans-shipment point for drugs is very old news.
It was raised at an RCIPS quarterly media briefing, at which CI Jones was present, back in 2007 and reported by Cayman Net News. At the time he admitted that the volumes of drugs being seized way exceeded local demand.
Admittedly, the main import then was ganga but cocaine is just a logical and more convenient progression.
What is distrubing is that fact that this has been known about for more than three years but is only just being re-introduced as a matter for public discussion. Why has there been no ‘intelligence-led proactive reponse’ in the meantime?
I wish Commissioner Baines well in his efforts to combat these problems but it does look a bit like shutting the proverbial door after the horse has bolted.
Maybe it’s simply time for CIG to reconsider accepting the offer of a full-time US Coast Guard unit as part of their anti-drug enforcement efforts.
And is it not interesting the great extents that some of our politicans went to to block or slow down the arrival of the police helicopter that was meant to help combat the flow of drugs and arms in and out of Cayman?
Lets not forget it was Stuart Kernohan (2005 – 2007) that brought this issue to the fore and led the first attempt to crack down on it (and to get the helicopter in to assist).
Perhaps not surprising he was kicked out (and then found totally innocent and to have made no mistakes).
The people of the Cayman Islands should be very grateful to Mr Kernohan. He risked (and probably gave up) his career to make our island a safer place.
We can only hope Mr Baines will adequately continue the good work of his predecessor ….
Our politicians and "now upstanding citizens" all KNOW who the drug lords are and which prominent people benefited from drug money and money laundering "back in the day". No need to dig deep on most of our big businessmen, just scratch the surface or ask any Caymanian HOW a lot of these big boys got their dough. I think our police force is still influenced by WHO they know and who they protect in this bad business. I remember the UK cop who tried to arrest a big man policeman for drunk driving and everything was conveniently swept under the carpet. At least he got a return holiday here to testify and I admire him standing by his oath and values.
As far as police cracking down on gangs and colors….yup, this needs to be done. Times are tough, offer $$$ rewards and watch the jail cells fill up. (but will the police follow the tips or protect their buddies?)
This guy has every excuse in the book. So he wants happily accepts money from the US but has stated publicly he wouldn not hire US police. Get real!
I way get ALL Caymanians on the force, and have them trained (if specialized training is needed) by US cops. The UK mentality has worked in absolutely ZERO of the current or former BOT’s.
Oh and one way to solve this issue with radar is to have every boat that leaves the island tagged on the radar and then for those boats that leave and return, no problem. If a boat suddenly appears that wasn’t tagged leaving, go and check them out. It is VERY SIMPLE.
Yes I am an expat, and yes I am for all Caymanian police force.
Yes, US Cops is the answer. They certainly manage to keep the U.S.A. crime- free don’t they?
We are Caymanians,/British Subjects not Americans, why do we have to get American cops.
I suppose you are right, you are British SUBJECTS.
One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Good luck!
You don’t need to have American cops, that wasn’t what the poster was saying. They were saying you need a CAYMANIAN Police force. The suggestion was to bring in real cops (US Cops) to train for just a few years the new recruits. I have much respect for existing Caymanian Police.
This is instead of the failed UK British Police or other police who couldn’t make it in their own jurisdictions or preferred the easier life here instead of their home country.
Oh, and in case you think the US is more crime ridden then the UK, let’s just look at statsm, 5 more per 1000 people:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri_percap-crime-total-crimes-per-capita
Notice who has the higher overall crime rate.
I think you are living in another universe.
Do you hear the RCIPS talk about how Cayman is 15th in world for robberies (1.16 per 1,000 people which is actually ahead of Jamaica) or perhaps how they are #7 in the world for murders (.1272 per 1,000 people)
Those are facts, not opinions. Keep your head in the sane, soon the waterline will reach when Cayman didn’t take things seriously enough.
Those that go fishing to the banks and have sailed or fished in other jurisdictions know that the process is absolutly ridiculous.
To go out you are supposed to go to immigrations, fill forms, pay dollars, and if you are expat get another stamp in your passport that is always struggling for more pages, result: everybody goes out not declaring it to anybody.
In most rational countries I’ve sailed and fished, you inform to a government entity through radio that you are leaving, like Port Authority. You are obliged to radio in, name of vessel and name of people on board,you can even do it on line, destination and expected return time. No immigrations, no customs, no dollars, no forms unless you are planning to land in another country, if you don’t radio in you risk being fined. You also need to radio in before coming back. That way they can do spot checks.
Think about this, to go to the brac by plane you don’t need anything, to go half way to the brac by boat and come back you need to do all this crap.
Change the law, process or whatever it is, make it easier, people will comply and you will have much better control of who is going out and in, then any boat that has not radio in and you see in the radar is a clear target for inspection.
Easy!
Dear Businessman,
You could not be more RIGHT! We have sooo many civil servants, but no efficiency at work.
A simple radio in and out system makes sense…and YES! Enforce those penalties. Monitor our radio waves and ocean waves and this problem will be solved in no time.
The next step (probably won’t be welcomed by local boaters, but it is needed…all the way down to the bloody jet-skis) is to pay a $50 govt. fee per boat for inspection and licensing every year. We have heard of too many tragedies of families and fishermen in peril without life jackets outside the reef and you cannot tell me their is ANY formal boat training or safety programs either. We are open waters with an accident (or crime scene) waiting to happen.
Excellent work Mr. Baines.