The Royal Bermuda Regiment is on the hunt for new recruits to sign up for the country’s first Coast Guard.

A total of nine full-time posts are available — four boatswain’s mates, four marine enforcement specialists and one maritime unit commander.

Major Ben Beasley, the RBR Commanding Officer designate, said the new roles underlined the modern regiment’s ability to adapt to demands and offered a good career ladder for suitable candidates.

He added: “This is the start of something that will grow and become an integral part of the way the RBR and our partner agencies keep Bermuda safe and secure.

“It is a chance for Bermudians to get in on the ground floor and develop themselves as the Coast Guard develops alongside them.”

Major Beasley said the Coast Guard, although under the RBR, was made up of personnel who had served in the Bermuda Police Service as well as soldiers from the regiment’s Boat Troop.

He said: “This is a combined unit, designed to work with and support a variety of government departments, including immigration, marine and ports and customs.

Major Beasley added: “The ideal applicants will be those who can be entrusted to enforce the laws of Bermuda with fairness and impartiality and be able to operate safely in the marine environment.”

All the posts are open to serving members of the RBR or those who have relevant previous experience in the military or other uniformed services.

Applicants must be able to pass the RBR’s mandatory annual training tests, which include physical fitness and weapons handling, complete a swimming test and show proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.

All candidates must also pass a vetting process.

Candidates for boatswain’s mate positions will ideally have small boat-handling experience, be educated to Bermuda School Diploma level or equivalent and GCSEs in English, geography, maths and/or science would be an asset.

They will be skilled in all aspects of boat handling and be able to carry out search and rescue, law enforcement and security operations, as well as act as marine enforcement specialists, operations officers and boat mechanics.

Marine enforcement specialists should have had military experience at a minimum level of Lance Corporal.

Abilities in the areas of small boat handling and law enforcement would be valuable and they must be proficient in weapons handling.

They will be involved in policing the seas, antiterrorism work, force protection, port security and safety and be able to train others in those fields, as well as act as boatswain’s mates when needed.

The Maritime Unit Commander should hold a bachelor’s degree or relevant certificate or diploma, as well as a Class A pilot’s licence and must complete weapons training.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable in Bermuda and international laws of the sea and oversee the maritime operations room and watch keeping.

The post-holder will manage the Coast Guard with responsibility for patrols in the island’s territorial waters, law enforcement and the reaction to man-made or natural disasters.

The commander will also be in charge of equipment and training, with assistance from the RBR training wing.

Major Beasley said: “These are all wonderful opportunities for people inside and outside of the RBR and is in line with the modern regiment’s commitment to not only defend the island’s interests, but to enhance and nurture talent, as well as offer meaningful, full-time, well-paid roles and the chance to achieve technical and professional qualifications in their own fields or in new ones.”

For more details, visit the Government jobs board at https://www.bermudajobboard.bm/. The closing date for applications is February 28.