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BAHAMAS: Remarks – LJM Maritime Institute Inaugural Graduation Ceremony

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#Nassau, October 22, 2018 – Bahamas

REMARKS

The Hon. Darren Henfield,

Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of

Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis

Prime Minister

LJM Maritime Institute Graduation

18 October 2018

 

 

Protocol.

Good Evening.

The Prime Minister regrets that he is unable to attend this evening.  But he asked that I offer his personal greetings and congratulations.

It is my happy privilege to offer these remarks on his behalf, and on behalf of the Government.

Let me begin by congratulating the graduates, who began their studies in 2014, and who are pioneers here at the Institute.

I acknowledge the parents, guardians, benefactors, teachers, trainers and staff at the Institute, who made today possible.

Graduates:

You have demonstrated a commitment to “teamwork, discipline and [the] dignity of fellow-comrades.”

You figuratively and literally have a world of opportunity before you.

Because of your training and experience you are world-class.

In addition to the graduates, I also acknowledge “the successful completion of the first year pre-sea programme of the Cadets from the Cohort 2017.”

You have an exciting journey ahead as you are on your way “to be deployed on merchant ships of international shipping companies.”

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I once again thank Lowell Mortimer for his vision and for his stellar commitment to maritime education, philanthropy and community service.

Lowell is a man of enormous generosity, who has made a tremendous personal commitment, both financial and time-wise, to the Institute.

He is also a man of excellence and enterprise.

Lowell is a Bahamian patriot par excellence, whose love of country is an example to us all.

I also thank Dr. Brenda Cleare, your President, for her enormous dedication.

Dr. Cleare truly loves the students at the Institute.  She is passionate about the mission of the Institute and the success of every student.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Prime Minister recently spoke at a forum in New York hosted by the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Allow me to share some of his remarks from that forum.

He noted that the Bahamas Ship Registry comprises over 1570 ships totaling over 64 million gross tonnage.

This places The Bahamas within the top 10 of the world’s largest flag states.

This is a major achievement for The Bahamas, with ships flying the Bahamas flag in every corner of the globe.

It also represents the confidence and trust of ship owners and managers in The Bahamas in the regulation of their fleet, which is critical to the global economy.

The Bahamas footprint extends to all shipping sectors.

We are also known for our world-class passenger ship fleet of over 140 cruise ships.  This ship type represents nine percent of ship numbers on the Registry.

The largest percentage of ship types on the Registry are in fact tankers – over 27 percent – followed by general cargo, bulk carriers and offshore vessels which each account for over 15 percent of the ship type on the Registry.

The common thread with these ships and their owners/managers is that they share the BMA’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of safety, security and environmental standards.

The Government will continue to promote the maritime sector and ensure that The Bahamas remains competitive in this ever growing market.

The Bahamas is committed to expanding our service offering to customers.

We are expanding our base in Asia, with the opening of a dedicated BMA office in Tokyo, Japan, which is one of the largest ship-owning countries.

This expansion consolidates and strengthens our presence in The Bahamas, in the Americas, London, Athens and Hong Kong.

“The Bahamas continues to recognise the fundamental importance and critical role of the maritime sector to the long-term sustainability of The Bahamas.

“The Government has decided to invest in the future of this country by projecting three key areas of growth.  Maritime is one of them.  The industry is projected to grow by to approximately 32% until 2050.

“This growth is expected in the cruise industry, containerized movement of cargo, and [the] movement of dry bulk commodities and finished goods.

“Our close proximity to the major cruise routes and strategic location along the major shipping routes will play a major role in enhancing the growth of maritime industry in the country.”

As has been noted before: The maritime fleet flying the Bahamian flag today is close to about 1600 ships operating worldwide.

Imagine if we could place Bahamians on these vessels throughout the world.  This would mean professional opportunities for thousands of Bahamians in the years ahead.

Dear Graduates

With your training and new global awareness, may I invite you to become advocates, at home and abroad, for the preservation of the oceans and on making others aware of the grave threat of climate change to the world and to The Bahamas.

As you are certainly aware, a grave threat to the oceans of the world is plastic waste, which one Commonwealth leader described as, “one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world”.

Due to our geographic location, The Bahamas archipelago is besieged by marine debris from the United States of America and from the high volume of international marine vessels that pass through our waters. This pollution affects tourism, fisheries and the health of our population.

To reduce plastic waste, the Government of The Bahamas has made a commitment to banning single-use plastics and Styrofoam by 2020.This ban will include: plastic bags, plastic straws and plastic food utensils.

Another grave threat is climate change.

We see this in rising sea levels, the loss of coral reefs, the increased volume of acid in our oceans, and more severe hurricanes and typhoons.

We must dedicate more energy and resources in building resilience and sustainability as we address climate change.

While the delivery of humanitarian aid is essential, it is better to focus on prevention, and the strengthening of capacity building.

By example, such an approach should focus on the preservation and sustainable use of the world’s seas and oceans.

The resources of the oceans of the world must be protected and wisely used to ensure their viability for generations to come, and to ensure the shared benefit, enjoyment and the continued survival of all.

Without healthy oceans, The Bahamas, like many other countries may not be able to sustain our way of life and to develop.

Tourism is the world’s largest industry.  It is also the lifeblood of our economy.  Millions of tourists travel to The Bahamas annually because of our waters.

While many cities in the Caribbean and the world are coastal, the entire Bahamas is a coastal zone.

In terms of the number of islands, islets, reefs, coral reefs and cays, The Bahamas is one of the larger archipelagos in the world.

The ocean is not just a way of life for us.  It is life itself.

This includes: food production and pharmaceutical extracts, tourism, the marine and maritime sectors, sport and recreation and much more.

So essential is the ocean to our survival, The Bahamas worked diligently on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, with one of our former diplomats, the late Mr. George Stewart, becoming a global expert on the Convention.

The Bahamas remains committed to being a vigilant steward for the preservation and protection of the environment.

Graduates:

As you begin the next phase in your life journey, I invite you to be men and women of excellence.  May you also be stewards of the environment.

Thank you and good evening.

 

Remarks delivered by Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Darren Henfield, on behalf of the Prime Minister.

 

 

 

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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