H.M.B.S Pelican Base a beacon of hope and light

During the 11th Anniversary Church Service for the Barbados Coast Guard H.M.B.S Pelican Base, Acting Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard (BCG), Lt. Cdr Derrick A. Brathwaite reassured Barbadians that the military base will remain a beacon of hope and light.

“As we celebrate, let’s remember that we do so firstly in the name of God and in service. We do it for the benefit of our the people and we set aside self in the interest of national good,” said Lt. Cdr Brathwaite.

The service’s theme was “Reflecting on the past, Embracing the Future” and Reverend Esther Willoughby of the Wesleyan Holiness Church gave a brief history of the young base and the Barbados Coast Guard. She highlighted that the marine unit of Barbados military forces was first called The Barbados Coast Guard Service, and was established in 1974 at Enterprise in Christ Church. She also mentioned the transition to H.M.B.S Willoughby Fort (1981) and finally to H.M.B.S Pelican in 2007.

In her sermon, Rev. Willoughby recognised the excellent work of BCG in sister islands during the hurricane season 2017 by providing transportation, water and supplies.

“[The] Coast Guard has done well….. God has taken note of your labour of love,” said Rev. Willoughby.

Noting that only God knows the future and He can be our guide, Rev Willoughby advised BCG to heed His principles. She added that there is a need to adjust our minds to God’s way of thinking to keep his standard for success.