Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard Commander: Commodore Errol Williams (2023+)

Commodore Errol Williams assumed command of the Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) in January 2023, succeeding Rear Admiral (ret.) Hayden Pritchard.

Role & Responsibilities

• Maritime domain awareness: 70,000+ km² EEZ, 362 km coastline
• Operations: Drug interdiction, IUU fishing patrol, search & rescue, border security
• Assets: 4× Damen Stan Patrol 5009 (Cedar-class), 2× Cape-class, 2× Dauntless-class, RHIBs
• Personnel: ~800 officers & ratings
• Partnerships: USCG (SHIPRIDER), RSS (Regional Security System), DEA, INTERPOL

Commodore Williams' Background

• 30+ years TTCG service
• Previous: Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Operations
• Training: Britannia Royal Naval College (UK), US Naval War College
• Focus: Professionalization, asset maintenance, intelligence-led ops

Strategic Context

• Drug transshipment corridor (Venezuela → Europe/US)
• Venezuelan migration / maritime boundary disputes
• Blue economy: offshore energy protection, sustainable fisheries
• Climate: HADR (Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief) readiness

The Coast Guard is T&T's primary maritime enforcer. Commodore Williams leads its modernization amid rising regional complexity.