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Hurricane Dorian stalls over Grand Bahama, moving 1 mile per hour, ALL Clear for some islands

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#Bahamas, September 2, 2019 – Abaco and its cays faced monster category five Hurricane Dorian in the light of day and many of the people were devastated at the ferocity of the Atlantic Basin’s worst hurricane in modern history.

Grand Bahama Island has had to face the beast in the dark of night and messages and images Magnetic Media has received reveal a howling, frightening wind and a relentless surge.

Most vexing though, that slow-going Hurricane Dorian has decreased forward speed to a mere 1 mile per hour.

We can see the water has indeed swelled and is crashing against the Grand Bahama International Airport.  Video of the surge was filmed from the second level of the building.

The forecast from The Bahamas Department of Meteorology is that terrible hurricane Dorian will spend all day and all night pounding the island of Grand Bahama. 

“HURRICANE DORIAN IS DRIFTING WEST NEAR 1 MPH.  A SLOW WESTWARD TO WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO, FOLLOWED BY A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AND NORTH.  ON THIS TRACK, THE CORE OF EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DORIAN WILL CONTINUE TO POUND GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND THROUGH MUCH OF TODAY AND TONIGHT. ”

An earlier forecast had said of Abaco that, “WATER LEVELS SHOULD VERY SLOWLY SUBSIDE ON THE ABACO ISLANDS DURING THE DAY.”

An all clear is given for New Providence, Eleuthera and Andros.  Tropical Storm conditions are expected for Bimini and the Berry Islands.

“…HOWEVER, RESIDENTS IN THESE ISLANDS ARE ASKED TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION AS THEY WILL STILL BE IMPACTED BY SEVERE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE OUTER BANDS OF DORIAN.  THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY’S DOPPLER WEATHER RADARS IN NEW PROVIDENCE AND MARSH HARBOUR ABACO, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HURRICANE MODELS INDICATE THAT CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE IN GRAND BAHAMA THROUGH TODAY AND TONIGHT, AND IS SUBSIDING IN THE ABACOS.  RESIDENTS IN BIMINI AND THE BERRY ISLANDS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPACTED BY TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS TODAY.”

In New Providence, there is an island wide black out and flooding in some areas.

Hurricane Dorian, despite decreasing wind speeds to 165 mph will pack a double wallop as the eye is also passing over Grand Bahama.

“THE EYE OF DORIAN CONTINUES TO MOVE OVER THE EASTERN END OF GRAND BAHAMA AND CONTINUES TO MOVE WESTWARD.  RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE LULL IN THE WINDS AS THE EYE PASSES, BUT REMAIN INDOORS AND PREPARE FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HURRICANE.”

Boaters are advised not to venture out.  Storm surges can be between 18-23 feet and anywhere from 12 to 30 inches of rain can fall as hurricane Dorian moves westerly out of The Bahamas… but ever so slowly.

Needless to say, people are anxious and want to hear from loved ones especially following the harrowing experience played out on Sunday in Abaco.

One voice note we received was heartbreaking as a young woman tearfully issued a plea for help and explained: “They say Marsh Harbour is gone, Murphy Town is gone, Dundas Town is gone….”

Residents in Freeport are reporting extremely windy conditions with debris; but that they are well and ready and hopeful as they ride out the storm.

Photo Credit: Social Media

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RBDF Operation Strengthens Maritime Security Amidst Regional Turmoil

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Defence Headquarters, 17 MAR. ’24: A joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) led to the apprehension of 50 Haitian migrants approximately 5 nautical miles west of Bell Island on Saturday, March 16th.

The operation was initiated following the initial sighting of a sailing vessel, believed to be of Haitian origin, 8 miles southwest of Staniel Cay in the Exumas. RBDF swiftly deployed air and surface assets stationed at Matthew Town Inagua, supported by Police officials in Staniel Cay who verified the sighting. The migrants were intercepted by RBDF personnel stationed at the Land and Sea Park, Wardrick Wells Exuma, and subsequently handed over to the safe boat crew. They are currently under apprehension pending further investigation, with the imminent arrival of HMBS Rolly Gray.

In response to the ongoing instability in Haiti, Commodore Raymond King has announced the implementation of a strategic blockade in the southern Bahamas. This initiative includes the deployment of six surface vessels, one aircraft, and 120 highly skilled RBDF personnel. Patrol operations will be concentrated in critical areas such as the northern coast of Haiti, the Old Bahama Channel, and the Windward Passage, with the aim of deterring unauthorized entry attempts and preserving maritime security in the region.

The effectiveness of these decisive measures is evident, with recent apprehensions totaling 247 individuals by the RBDF. Commodore Raymond E. King emphasizes the commitment to bolstering maritime security through collaborative efforts with regional partners and local law enforcement agencies.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and territorial integrity, working collaboratively with regional partners.

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)

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CIBC CARIBBEAN and Bahamas Girl Guides Association host inaugural Delaney Leadership Seminar

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Nassau, Bahamas, February 28, 2024 – Enthusiastic girl guides, ranger guides, and girls representing schools across The Bahamas recently gathered at the first ever Delaney Leadership Seminar.

The seminar, named in honor of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s (now CIBC Caribbean) first female chief executive officer, Ms. Colette Delaney, empowered the next generation of female leaders through focused sessions on leadership development, cultivating a leadership mindset, and the importance of building strong, supportive friendships. 

The event featured a series of team building exercises, interactive discussions, and a keynote address by Dr. Jacqui Bend, CIBC Caribbean’s Managing Director. Dr. Bend shared insights on the essence of leadership, guiding principles, and emphasized the role of young women in shaping a vibrant future for The Bahamas and beyond.

“It was a privilege to witness the incredible energy and budding potential of the young leaders that participated. Leadership is not just about guiding others; it’s about inspiring action and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. The Delaney Leadership Seminar is a testament to CIBC Caribbean’s commitment to nurturing young, bright minds and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to lead with purpose and passion,” said Dr. Bend.

Held under the theme, Our World, Our Bahamas, Our Thriving Future, the seminar underscored the importance of lifelong learning, perseverance, empathy, and collaboration in leadership, among other guiding principles. Dr. Bend highlighted the strides already being made by the participants and encouraged them to continue exploring their potential and envisioning their roles in creating positive change within their communities and the wider world.

Delina Rolle, a tenth-grade participant and aspiring lawyer from Preston H. Albury High School in Eleuthera, shared, “This seminar has been a life-changing experience for me. Hearing Dr. Bend’s success story and her tips were inspiring for me as a young girl trying to be a leader. I am happy I was selected by my school’s administration to attend and connect with so many amazing girls who share my dreams of making a difference.”

The Delaney Leadership Seminar has set a new benchmark for youth leadership programs in The Bahamas. The event concluded with a commitment from both CIBC Caribbean and the Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) to continue their support for youth leadership initiatives. 

In 2022, CIBC FirstCaribbean donated to the BGGA to assist in completing the interior of its $1.5 million, West Bay Street headquarters, which will feature meeting rooms, office spaces, training areas, accommodations for girl guides visiting from other countries and other essential working areas.

It was at that time that Dr. Bend affirmed the bank’s commitment to support organizations that mirror the bank’s promise to assist women and girls in the communities it serves. Prior to that, the bank donated several native trees to BGGA, which were planted at its campsite, Camp Discovery, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Housing’s Forestry Unit.

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BAMSI BRINGS IN PUREBRED ANIMALS TO DIVERSIFY NATIVE HERD

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Nassau, Bahamas, March 6th, 2024 – IN A STRATEGIC MOVE to boost the genetic quality of livestock available in the country, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) recently collaborated with the Department of Agriculture to acquire purebred small ruminants (sheep and goats).  The initiative is part of BAMSI’s broader breeding programme to inject quality genetics into the local livestock population.  Shedding light on the project’s objectives and timeline, Dr Mark Butler, the Institute’s Veterinarian, said the animals promise a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.

The newly acquired stock of animals, Dorper and Barbados Black Belly sheep and Boer and Savanna goats, are integral to the upcoming artificial insemination programme which BAMSI is set to commence later this year.  

“The new animals will be used in one arm of our breeding programme, facilitating natural mating to ensure genetic diversity and quality,” Dr Butler explained.  “The goal is to increase the herd and improve genetic traits, and we anticipate over 85 per cent success in terms of animals giving birth—a crucial marker for the programme’s success.”

Currently, 30 sheep and 30 goats are part of the breeding programme, with the expectation of 50 to 60 live births by the end of the year.  The focus is not only on increasing the herd size but also on ensuring the genetic quality of the offspring.

“We want offspring that exhibit high genetic quality.  Purebred Dorper sheep and Boer goats show better growth rates and are ideal for farmers looking for efficient weight gain at market age,” Dr Butler emphasized. 

Ayrett Lightbourne, BAMSI’s Farm Manager, addressed why BAMSI chose these specific breeds, and their potential impact on the local livestock industry.  “The Dorper Sheep, for example, gains weight faster than native breeds, offering a different market for lean meat consumers.  Similarly, the Boer and Savanna goats, being larger and more meat-producing, contribute significantly to improving meat quality in the country.”

The imported purebred animals will create a nucleus herd at BAMSI’s farm in Andros to upgrade the existing livestock population.  Their offspring will breed with the native flock, and some of the offspring will be distributed to local farmers.  This collaborative effort between BAMSI and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to enhance the genetic potential of the native flocks, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers alike.

The BAMSI herd, comprising 190 animals, is expected to grow as the breeding programme progresses.  The next phase involves artificial insemination, marking a crucial step towards achieving BAMSI’s goal of increasing the quantity and improving the genetic quality of Bahamian livestock.  The institute’s dedication to scientific advancements in agriculture promises a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.

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