“The GDFS Essequibo stood proudly as the flagship of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard for more than two decades, a true symbol of national power and maritime pride,” declared Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, during the official decommissioning ceremony for the vessel.
Commissioned into the GDF in 2001 after serving as HMS Orwell in the Royal Navy, the GDFS Essequibo was acquired to strengthen Guyana’s maritime security amid increasing challenges such as illegal fishing.
Since its arrival in Guyana, the vessel was commanded by a distinguished line of officers: Captain (CG) John Flores (1st), Lieutenant Commander Floyd Levi (2nd), Lieutenant Commander Derrick Erskine (3rd), Lieutenant(CG) Michael Elliot (4th), Commander Adrian McLean (5th), and most recently, Lieutenant Commander Ronald Mc Intyre (6th), who oversaw its final operational phase.
In a GDF Facebook post, Brigadier Khan expressed deep appreciation to all those who served aboard the Essequibo, stating that while the ship’s operational chapter may have closed, its symbolic and historical significance endures. He noted that considerations are ongoing regarding the vessel’s repurposing.
Acting Commander Coast Guard, Commander Adrian Mc Lean, highlighted the ship’s vital role in maritime patrols, interdiction of illicit activities, and the training of law enforcement personnel. He reaffirmed that the decommissioning marks a milestone in the Coast Guard’s evolution and the nation’s broader efforts to modernise and expand its maritime capability.
Lieutenant Commander Ronald Mc Intyre offered a heartfelt reflection on the Essequibo’s legacy. He honoured the leadership of his five predecessors and underscored the vessel’s participation in regional exercises such as Tradewinds, its humanitarian deployment to Grenada following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and its involvement in successful enforcement operation, many of which tested the skill and resolve of her crews. More than a vessel, he noted, the Essequibo served as a crucible for leadership, resilience, and enduring camaraderie.
Former Coast Guard Officers, Captain (CG) John Flores, Lieutenant Commander Floyd Levi, Lieutenant Commander Derrick Erskine as well as the vessel’s earlier Marine Engineer Officer, former Lieutenant Coast Guard Christopher Lawrence, were also in attendance at the decommissioning ceremony. Their presence added a profound sense of continuity and reverence to the occasion, as they stood alongside current ranks to honour the vessel they once led and the legacy it leaves behind.
The decommissioning of GDFS Essequibo stands as both a moment of solemn pride and strategic transition. The vessel’s contribution to national security, regional cooperation, and the professional development of Coast Guard personnel will remain firmly etched in the annals of the GDF.
