A new full-time Regiment Boat Troop is to be set up to patrol Bermuda’s waters, Government announced today.Making the announcement in the House of Assembly, National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief said the new Troop would cost up to $2 million a year to run - up to &700,000 less if than if the police were to supply the same service.He said: “it is intended that the Regiment take on a more formal inshore maritime security role, using a full-time force. The Regiment would recruit, train and deploy a full-time Boat Troop to take over the routine inshore maritime patrolling task of the Bermuda Police Service.“In the interests of efficiency, it is not intended that this be a “quick-fix”. The Regiment already has strong links with the US Coastgaurd, Canadian Maritime Police, and the Royal Marines who can assist with training, however, it will take time to recruit and train the necessary personnel.”In order to make it effective, Mr Perinchief said the soldiers would also require, as a minimum, the powers to board and search, carry non-lethal weapons, and arrest.Here is the Minister’s statement in full:Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform Honourable Members and the general public of efforts within the Ministry of National Security to strengthen Bermuda’s Maritime capability. Specific attention has been focused on the capacity of the Bermuda Regiment to enhance Bermuda’s Maritime security.Mr. Speaker, Service Chiefs of the Bermuda Regiment and the Bermuda Police Service, along with other relevant Heads of Departments, have recently held discussions on the potential to strengthen Bermuda’s maritime capability. The aim of these discussions was to determine existing assets, personnel and roles; existing joint operations; and scope for greater joint operations and additional roles, all from a maritime perspective.Bearing in mind the increase in gun crime and the need to keep ahead of drug activity, these discussions were particularly timely. Mr. Speaker, all Service Chiefs and Department Heads concur that there are opportunities for greater interdiction operations and to devise innovative means to address Bermuda’s maritime capability in support of interdiction efforts.Presently, the Bermuda Regiment has a memorandum of understanding with the Bermuda Police Service, whereby regimental staff provide additional, part-time maritime patrolling assistance to the BPS on weekends and holidays during the boating season. In addition, the Regiment provides assistance in policing major events such as the bi-annual boat parade in Hamilton Harbour, as well as the ‘Round the Island Boat Race and the Non-Mariners Race.Mr. Speaker, it is intended that the Regiment take on a more formal inshore maritime security role, using a full-time force. The Regiment would recruit, train and deploy a full-time Boat Troop to take over the routine inshore maritime patrolling task of the BPS. In the interests of efficiency, it is not intended that this be a “quick-fix”. The Regiment already has strong links with the US Coastgaurd, Canadian Maritime Police, and the Royal Marines who can assist with training, however, it will take time to recruit and train the necessary personnel.As always, cost is factor in implementing any new policy. Estimates have placed the cost of raising a full-time Regimental Boot Troop at an additional 25 percent over the cost of the current part-time troop. However, at $1.5 to $2 million per annum, this cost is approximately $500-$700 thousand less than employing the equivalent number of police officers. Whilst the initial outlay to raise, equip and train the force is significant, the long-term costs favour the Regiment. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the BPS officers freed from maritime duties can be re-deployed according to the Commissioner’s requests in addressing crime in the community.For maximum effectiveness, this venture would need to be a joint force and the Regiment will need to rely on the expertise of the Police, Customs, Border Control, and Marine and Ports for advice and operational support. An “Operations Centre” headed by the agreed “lead agency” would need to be identified, and regular, formalized inter-agency briefing and intelligence sharing would be required.Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members should also take note that for enforcement purposes, soldiers would also require, as a minimum, the powers to board and search, carry non-lethal weapons, and arrest.Once a full-time, inshore, Regiment boat troop is formed the strengthened maritime security capabilities will include: routine inshore patrolling, particularly during boat season; twenty-four hour standby search and rescue assistance capability; inshore interdiction of drugs and weapons; maritime safety checks of civilian craft; patrolling and policing of major maritime events; fisheries inspections, in conjunction with Fisheries personnel; and, when required, providing assets to other agencies, such as Customs, BPS, the Fire Service and the Department of Fisheries, for similar, joint operations.In due course, Mr. Speaker, as funding is available, the Regiment could look to broaden this capability to include offshore search and rescue, board and search, and weapon and drug interdiction, and a full-time Operational Support Unit that would be specially trained in boarding and search techniques, in addition to providing an immediate reserve to the Police Support Unit in the event of a public disorder situation.Mr. Speaker, a uniformed, disciplined force dedicated to protecting the inshore waters is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to protect those who use the waterways, while at the same time strengthening drug and gun interdiction capabilities. A ‘coastgaurd’ styled organisation such as this is widely accepted in other similar jurisdictions and should present few issues for Bermuda.Mr. Speaker, this Government continues to be engaged in realizing safe and efficient law enforcement in pursuit of safer communities for Bermuda. A strengthened maritime capability is a logical objective of the Island and this Government is leading in its development.Thank you, Mr. Speaker.