Paying homage to an officer who was integral to the development of the Coast Guard Unit, the army yesterday renamed the facility the Guyana Coast Guard Ship (GCGS) Hinds.
A commemorative plaque was also unveiled in the name of Harry Hinds, an officer who the army said served it with distinction and who was responsible for transforming the then marine wing into the now modern Coast Guard Unit.
It is the first time the army is renaming the base in keeping with naval tradition. Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best labelled the late Hinds as an officer who was a towering figure and one who was a consummate thinker and planner who would be remembered for his tireless work to make the unit what it is today. He particularly emphasized Hinds’ work in the putting together of legislation which led to the legal establishment of the facility as well as for the development of the Coast Guard district system.
Hinds spent 34 years of his life serving the military and was the first person to be appointed Coast Guard Commander.
Commander Godfrey George, who is now entrusted with that responsibility, told the gathering at a simple ceremony yesterday which was graced by former chiefs-of-staff and officers, that despite the passage of time, Hinds’ contribution continues to be relevant and his modified ideas important to the maintenance of a modernized unit.
“He was a committed officer … a valuable asset… His service can be considered unmatched and continues to be beneficial,” he stated. He pointed out too that Hinds would always be remembered for his role in formulating concepts pertaining to coastal surveillance and the establishment of radar and surveillance systems which enabled the satisfactory monitoring of marine traffic.
“He was a committed officer whose profound consideration in maritime matters creates scope for perpetual succession,” he added. George said he believed that the quality of Hinds’ contribution was largely influenced by his familial support.
His widow Jacqueline Hinds said she was proud to be attending the ceremony to rename the facility in honour of her husband. She remembered that when her husband was tasked with developing the marine wing, he was teased since he was not fully qualified in this regard. However she said he got to work putting ideas and thoughts together and saw them to maturity.
She recounted it being a herculean task .
She congratulated Commodore Best and called the tribute to her husband, appropriate. In a cheerful tone she applauded the unit saying, “Go Coast Guard.”
Hinds was enlisted in the GDF in February of 1966 at the age of 20 and after being trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom he was commissioned as an officer in March of 1966, Apart from undertaking an Officer Cadet Course in the UK for which he was awarded the prize of Under Officer, Captain (CG) Hinds also undertook other training opportunities overseas. He was the first Officer to attend the Support Company Commanders’ Course at Netheravon, UK and the first to qualify s a parachutist at Abington, UK. He also completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at Warminster, UK and as a result he was able to join the Training Corp. and executed the first ever formal Junior Command and Staff Course. He later attended the Army Staff Course in the UK and the Civil Military Strategy for Internal Development Course held in Florida, USA. Captain Harry Hinds held many appointments within the GDF such as Platoon Commander, Company Commander (HQ Company), Officer Commanding the Marine Corp, Col Special Duties to name a few. However the most notable appointment was that of the Commanding Officer Coast Guard.
Commander Harmon who provided the biographical sketch of Hinds’ life said that the results of his hard work are noticeable around the Coast guard base. He labelled Hinds a multidimensional Officer in every aspect, “ though he had no formal maritime related training his mind bore exceptional ideas within the field, ideas such as a coastal surveillance system, small boat operations and the Maritime Information System to name a few.” Over his career he was awarded the Independence Medal, Border Defence Medal, Military Efficiency Medal, Military Service Medal and the 24th anniversary medal. Captain (Coast Guard) Harry Basil Hinds retired on the 31st July 2000 bringing to end a distinguished career that lasted 34 years; he passed away on the 23rd June 2003.