Partners Address Guyana's Maritime Opportunities and Challenges
The National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), and its subsidiary International Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (IMLEA), announced a teaming agreement with AMES Maritime Security (AMES) of Kingston, Georgetown (Guyana) to provide international level maritime safety and security services.
The cadre of professionals from within both organizations are recognized for their military, maritime, and security skills and competence, and their ability to provide training, exercise, education, assessment, consultation, and other services. This Teaming Agreement brought those resources together to meet some of the maritime challenges facing Guyana after the discovery of significant oil deposits off the nation’s coastline, and production expected to begin in the spring of 2020.
“For this small nation of 750,000 residents, this collaborative partnership presents a viable solution to the myriad of security challenges Guyanese mariners are facing, and as vessel and waterside property owners seek solutions in light of this exponential growth that we are about to experience,” said Andy Austin, President of AMES. “This partnership adds another layer of services to augment the resources being provided by the Guyana Maritime Administration, Guyana Coast Guard, and Marine Police. It encompasses all maritime security services from regulatory and policy consultation to vessel security, and from personnel training to shoreside property protection.”
“Our partnership paves the way for a more systematic use of the tools we have collectively at our disposal and will allow us to speak with one voice to both local and international clients,” said Mark DuPont, the NMLEA/IMLEA’s Executive Director. “Ensuring the security of those who rely upon the safety of Guyana’s many waters, through the training of the professionals that will patrol, protect and preserve those waterways is our primary objective.”
“As we look at our immediate future,” continued Austin, “Guyanese mariners expect immediate and effective responses to their calls for help, the protection of their properties along Guyana’s coastline, and protection from acts of piracy directed to them personally or their properties. They will also require awareness of potential threats from criminal activities at sea or possible incursions into Guyana’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) resulting from disputes of maritime boundaries. Through this partnership, we will provide the guidance and subject matter experts needed to help Guyana through this exponential growth period.”
