GDF Coast Guard graduates 21 in outboard operator course

Some twenty-one participants: including soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), three officers of the Guyana Police Force and two representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have successfully completed the GDF Coast Guard Outboard Operator and Maintenance Course, which began on March 23 and concluded on May 9, 2025.
Participants were trained in engine handling drills, vessel manoeuvring techniques and troubleshooting procedures; and the course also provided intensive training in both theoretical and practical aspects of outboard engine operations and maintenance.

The programme was specifically designed to equip partisipants with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate outboard vessels under various conditions, and to perform routine maintenance on outboard engines.
Having demonstrated excellence throughout the training, Able Rating (AR) Kobe Kingston was named Best Graduating Student, while AR Quacy Lyte copped both the Runner-Up and Best Boat Operator prizes.
While delivering the feature address at the closing ceremony, Officer Commanding the Technical Division, Lieutenant Commander Luther Singh, urged the graduates to apply their training with professionalism, and to remain committed to lifelong learning.
“Remember the importance of continuous learning, the need to respect the power of the waterways, and the responsibility you bear as skilled operators,” he said.
He added, “The knowledge and skills you have acquired here are vital assets for your contributions, not only to the Coast Guard and the wider Guyana Defence Force, but also to the Guyana Police Force and the Environmental Protection Agency.”
The successful completion of this course highlights the ongoing collaboration among national agencies, and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Guyana’s maritime safety and operational readiness across defence, security, and environmental sectors.