Police Force And Coastguard Initiative

RFA Fort George Crew Participate At Grenada Royal Police Force And Coastguard Initiative.

During Fort George’s visit to Grenada at the end of September 2009 a team of Six members of the ships company and permanent Royal Navy detachment participated in a new initiative to help recruit young people into Grenada’s Police, Coastguard and Armed forces. The team were there to pass on their skills and experience to the 24 trainees who were the first intake to take part in this new venture

The Grenada Royal Police Force (RGPF) and Coastguard initiative was a highly prestigious event attended by a number of Government ministers, The Commissioner of Police and senior officers from the Coastguard as well as four television news crews.

Prior to proceeding ashore the team were briefed that they were going ashore to entertain and instruct youth groups and show them what they did onboard ship. However, after the initial shock of realising that the youths were in their late teens and that a number of Senior Government ministers and TV networks were present they had to quickly overcome the feeling of “rabbit caught in headlights”, and adapted to the new situation.  CR1 Bruce Coldwell and SG1 Craig Mallidine gave Television interviews for local new networks and were able to explain why RFA/RN personnel were attending the event. They also provided information as to the ship’s role in the Caribbean to support of British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries should any Hurricanes or other natural disaster occur.

The Team provided practical instruction and information which was very well received by the students and staff attending. LH(Deck) Pete Bound, SG1 Craig Mallindine and SG1 George Keenan instructed the students in rope work and knot tying, CR1 Bruce Coldwell provided some light hearted training in Communications Voice Procedures, LH(E) Jim Lindsay instructed engineering,  whilst LSWA(AWW) George Purdy presented an overview of Royal Navy matters. The latter 2 also passed on aspects of their own careers at sea from a résumé of some 46 years between them.

Although the initiative was to help to boost the numbers in the Grenada’s Police, Coastguard and Military, many of the students showed a keen interest in joining the RFA and RN.