Guyana secures 3rd place in SEACOP JMCU Maritime Competition

Guyana has secured a 3rd-place ranking in the latest assessments under the SEACOP Joint Maritime Control Unit (JMCU) Caribbean Competition, achieving a score of 72 out of 80 (90%). This performance places Guyana among the top-performing maritime law enforcement units in the Caribbean, tied with Saint Kitts and Nevis, and just behind Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, which led the rankings with 75 out of 80 (94%).

Guyana was represented by officers of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) coast guard, whose performance demonstrated a high level of operational capability, discipline, and consistency in maritime interdiction practices. The results reflect a strong national capacity to conduct structured vessel searches and to maintain compliance with international enforcement standards.

The competition, conducted under the EU-funded Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP), is a regional maritime security initiative designed to test and enhance Caribbean law enforcement officers’ ability to conduct high-risk vessel searches safely and effectively for illicit goods, including narcotics. Participating countries included Suriname, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, highlighting the broad regional collaboration.

Assessments were based on a rigorous 80-point evaluation framework, examining:

• Operational safety procedures
• Tactics and structured search techniques
• Communication, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure
• Legal and procedural compliance
• Professionalism and command presence

Guyana’s strong performance underscores the continued strengthening of its maritime enforcement capacity, supported by targeted investments in training, coordination, and intelligence-led operations. It also reflects the country’s commitment to regional security cooperation and collective action against transnational organised crime.

The SEACOP JMCU Competition remains a critical platform for enhancing operational standards, interoperability, and best practices across Caribbean maritime law enforcement agencies. Guyana’s placement confirms its position within the upper tier of regional interdiction units, with clear potential to achieve top-ranking status through continued operational refinement.