News
At A Moment’s Notice
Coral Harbour Base, 3 Sept 2015 (RBDF): It was on a Thursday shortly before 8 p.m. when my cell phone rang. I looked at my phone for a brief second, thoughts began racing through my mind as I recognized the number and then I answered feverishly, “Hello?”. It was my senior on the other end of the line with a sound of relief in his voice, he replied.
“Good! You answered. I need you to make your way out at the port at midnight. You will join the ships company to slip harbor tonight in a couple hours for seven days to document the patrol. Have a safe trip and he hung up.
As I received my orders my heart skipped a beat and with no one else around to verify whether or not this reality was a dream or this dream was a reality, I had to just stop take a deep breath and relax. Even though the orders came hard and fast, I was eager to go out to sea. I was waiting on the opportunity to do my part as we prepared for the storm. I was ready to help prepare and protect my country, our country.
What should have been a typical 24-hour shift lined with fatigues to complete in the morning, suddenly became anything but typical. But what was I to expect? The Bahamas was in its first trimester of its hurricane season and Tropical Storm Erika was due to make landfall that upcoming weekend.
As a Marine Seaman on the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, it has definitely been a new experience for me. A marine can be called at a moment’s notice to perform his duties. That’s just the nature of the organization. Therefore, being in a constant state of readiness is crucial. However, in addition to individual preparedness, organizational preparedness is also important and this hurricane season showed me just how prepared we, the Defence Force, are in times of potential disaster.
As I followed the updates of Tropical Storm Erika, I learned that The Bahamas was lined up perfectly like bowling pins for a clean strike in hurricane alley. I saw citizens and residents making final attempts to protect life and secure property. Supermarket aisles were packed, store shelves were emptied, home cupboards were filled and anticipation for the oncoming tropical storm grew.
All the while, we at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force were also making preparations of our own. Though faced with a potential disaster, we took numerous precautions under the direction of Captain Tellis Bethel, the Commander Defence Force (Acting), and his command team to help safeguard our country and stood ready to provide assistance at a moment’s notice.
Subsequently, Advance Teams were dispatched ahead of the storm to various islands such as Mayaguana, Governor’s Harbour and Abaco to assist with the coordination and preparation of hurricane relief efforts. Impact Teams were standing by ready to provide immediate support to pre-defined Advance Teams and affected Family Islands for road, airport, and harbour clearing along with restoration of the basic utilities following the passing of the storm.
Defence Force Hurricane Shelter Managers were ready to be stationed at 25 shelters throughout New Providence. Standby Security and Urban Search and Rescue Teams were also established to provide immediate security assistance to shelter managers and local communities, in the event of security threats or missing persons. Teams were also formed to assist families of Defence Force personnel who were abroad and about to face the wrath of Tropical Storm Erika.
Marines were assigned to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist with the coordination of national hurricane relief efforts. Defence Force patrol crafts were dispatched to various locations throughout the Bahama chain of Islands, where they prepared for the aftermath of the storm.
Military Police Personnel were stationed at key Government and foreign diplomat facilities in New Providence to provide necessary security. Hurricane Platoons were also standing by to provide further support with hurricane mitigation efforts during and after the storm in Nassau and the Family Islands.
We seemed to have covered all the major areas of concern. Most people didn’t see any of it, but while the average Bahamian was on alert for Tropical Storm Erika making landfall, Defence Force marines were already out to sea and on the various family islands anticipating the potential disaster, positioning themselves for what was to come.
In a turn of events, Tropical Storm Erika, instead of striking The Bahamas, decided to throw a curve ball, swung around our archipelago and eventually dissipated. However, this provided the Defence Force with an opportunity to put our hurricane plan of action under a microscope, allowing us to identify both our strengths and our weaknesses for the next call of duty. This will undoubtedly enhance our plan of execution in the future if needed.
As some of the country’s best trained assets, sufficient gratitude cannot be expressed to the Defence Force marines who continuously and selflessly render their service towards our country’s defence, wherever and whenever called. Leaving your family behind is never easy at such a time, so I can tell my fellow brothers in arms thank you for your service because you are keeping my loved ones safe also as I am to yours.
The families of marines must also be acknowledged for their continued support of their loved ones during such times, as these brave men and women of the Defence Force are deployed to safeguard our heritage. Many of us were far from our families and homes, but as a nation, you did not allow us to be far from your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you to all our supporters. Your support and well wishes are always appreciated.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
-
News1 week agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
-
Bahamas News1 week agoCBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players
-
Bahamas News1 week agoBahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
-
News4 days agoSaunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI
-
Bahamas News2 days agoRoyal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE