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Ministry of Tourism Announces the Mobilization of Tidal Gauges in Grand Turk and Providenciales

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#Providenciales, July 5, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – One of the deliverables emanating from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Department of Maritime and Shipping and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the UKHO committed to assist the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) implement protocols to ensure that the TCI are complying with its obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

As a result of this cooperation, two Tidal Gauges were recently mobilized in the Turks and Caicos Islands, one Tidal Gauge is installed at South Dock in Grand Turk and one Tidal Gauge is installed at Sapodilla Bay in Providenciales.

Each Tidal Gauge station consists of:

  • 1 x Valeport Tidemaster Data Recorder and Valeport Pressure Gauge
  • 1 x Valeport Tidemaster Data Recorder and Valeport Radar Level Sensor
  • 1 x Sutron Satlink-3 Data Logger and Satellite Transmitter

For those who are not familiar with Tidal Gauges, one might ask,

What do the instruments do?

  • Valeport Tidemaster and Valeport Pressure Gauge
    • This instrument uses pressure readings to record water height at 10-minute intervals
  • Valeport Tidemaster and Valeport Radar Level Sensor
    • This uses pulsed K-band radar to record water height at 10-minute intervals; and
  • Sutron Satlink-3 Data Logger and Satellite Transmitter
    • Compiles the pressure and radar data and transmits through a NOAA satellite to a NOAA land-based data system.  The six 10-minute ensembles are transmitted every hour.  Specifics:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) East Satellite to the NOAA Data Collection System (DCS) Administration and Data Distribution System (DADDS). 

Why is the data recorded?

  • The data is recorded to obtain accurate tidal information
  • Logged tidal data could be used for historical purposes
  • Provision of near real-time tidal data
  • Recorded data can be processed using harmonic analysis to produce accurate tide table predictions

How will it benefit TCI?

  • Improved bathymetric mapping of TCI
  • Safer navigation and traffic for mariners
  • Engineers could use the data for coastal zone projects such as construction of bridges and docks
  • Habitat restoration projects require accurate tidal data
  • Tide data is critical to commercial fishing and recreational sports
  • Could be used to study tidal fluctuations associated with global warming and climate change
  • Ecologists could study tidal mixing of near-shore waters, where pollutants are removed and nutrients are recirculated

Will it provide information on upcoming inclement weather, including hurricanes and Tsunamis?

  • No, but can provide a historical database for storm surge.  Storm surge is the abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm, measured of the water above the normal predicted astronomical tide.  If a sufficiently long dataset is measured, estimates of extreme water levels would be possible, which would help with any future coastal development projects in TCI.

Minister Honorable Ralph Higgs commented, “This is another achievement of my Ministry as the Turks and Caicos Islands prepare for the pending audit of the International Maritime Organization in 2020. The first draft of the National Maritime Policy Document and the Action Plan has already been submitted and is currently being reviewed by the Steering Committee. Mapping of the Turks and Caicos Islands seabed is completed and once confirmation is forwarded to the UKHO that all Navigational Aids are functional, new charts would be produce in additional to Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) of the recently mapped seabed.”

Four Officers within the Department of Maritime and Shipping was recently trained by the Independent Contractor Fugro in Tidal Gauge management and maintenance. These Officers will be responsible to assist with data collection and to ensure that the UKHO and the TCI Maritime Department are kept up to date with monthly reports.

Release: Ministry of Tourism

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Crime

Police Launch Homicide Investigation After Fatal Shooting in Blue Hills

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Photo by Eagle Legal News Media 

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – April 27, 2025 — The Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has launched an active homicide investigation following a deadly shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Blue Hills community.

Around 12:30 a.m., officers from the Tactical Unit, while on routine patrol, responded to reports of gunfire at Ralph Close Evangelic Yard. Upon arrival, they discovered the unresponsive body of a man lying behind a wooden apartment building, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The deceased has been formally identified as 43-year-old Fritznel Beliard, originally from Limbe, Haiti.  Authorities have extended condolences to Mr. Beliard’s family and friends as investigations continue.

According to preliminary findings, a group of individuals had gathered in the yard to socialize and play music when two armed men approached.  The gathering quickly dispersed, with people fleeing in different directions.  Moments later, gunshots rang out, and Beliard was found fatally wounded.

At this time, investigators have not established a clear motive for the attack and are keeping all possibilities open as they pursue leads.  The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force emphasized that a life was senselessly taken and appealed to the public for assistance in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“We urge anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward,” a police spokesperson said.  “Your cooperation could be vital in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.”

Residents with any knowledge related to the incident are encouraged to contact their nearest police station, call 911, reach out directly to the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers by dialing 1-800-8477.  Additionally, tips can be submitted via the Crime Stoppers P3 mobile app.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force assured the community that every effort is being made to swiftly solve this case and maintain public safety.

Authorities continue to canvass the area for witnesses and surveillance footage as the investigation remains ongoing.

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Caribbean News

Local Beauty Queen, Activist and Model Selena Grant Graces the May Cover of Vigor Magazine

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Turks & Caicos’ rising star continues to blaze trails on the global stage

Providenciales, TCI – Turks & Caicos native Selena Grant, 24, is making headlines once again—this time as the cover star for the April 2025 issue of Vigor Magazine, an international publication celebrated for spotlighting fashion, culture, and emerging talent from around the world.

Grant, who first captured national attention in May 2024 when she was crowned Miss One Nation TCI, has since built a reputation as one of the country’s most multifaceted young women. In the past year alone, she has claimed 1st Runner-Up titles in both the Miss Universe Turks & Caicos pageant and the international Miss Global International competition. Her success on the runway, however, is only part of her story.

A dedicated community activist, Selena has contributed to humanitarian causes across the Islands, working with organizations such as United Way and Edward C Garland Yoith Centre and other outreach efforts. She also lends her skills to the medical field, currently serving as a lab apprentice at InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands.

Now, as the face of Turks & Caicos Fashion Week 2025, Selena is once again flying the national flag high. But this cover moment is not hers alone—it’s a shared triumph with the renowned model , runway coach, designer and photographer Kaye Cox, who not only photographed but also styled, directed, and retouched the entire shoot.

“I was incredibly honored to work with Kaye on this project,” Selena shared. “She’s a creative powerhouse and visionary. From concept to execution, every detail was hers—and I’m just so proud we could bring this vision to life together.”

Shot on the iconic shores of Providenciales, the editorial captures the essence of island elegance with a bold, high-fashion twist. The visuals, rich with cultural pride and artistic depth, immediately caught the eye of Vigor editors and landed both women their well-deserved spot on the cover.

This feature is another major milestone in Selena’s journey and a celebration of the brilliant women behind the lens and in front of it.

This marks yet another milestone in Selena’s modeling career and underscores her continued role as a cultural ambassador for the Turks & Caicos Islands.

From the stage to the studio, from the lab to the pages of an international magazine, Selena Grant continues to prove that beauty, brains, and purpose can go hand in hand—with women like Kaye Cox right there capturing it all.

Congratulations, Selena !

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News

Emailer Threatens Our Children; ‘Close Down the School’

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – Turks and Caicos national security leaders were deliberately vague about what led to their snap decision to shut down schools across Providenciales this week. The likely reason was to avoid panic after they were alerted to the dangerous and frightening prospect of what some anonymous sender planned to inflict upon the children, families and at least six private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, has launched an active investigation following the receipt of suspicious emails to six schools earlier this evening.

At this stage, police intelligence has not confirmed the legitimacy of the threats. However, the police force is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.”

However, holding onto the precise threat spelled out in those ghastly emails, meant parents remained frustratingly clueless about what was so serious that it prompted school officials, to late on Wednesday night, ask them to not to drop their children to school.

Schools which were in session complied with the police statement, though we understand there was no direct communication with school administrations.

Magnetic Media also learned that those now infamous emails, dispatched to half a dozen schools including the International School, Precious Treasures, Provo Primary and British West Indies Collegiate, contained a bone-chilling threat to shoot at the schools this Friday, April 25, 2025.

“…you’ve been randomly selected for a shooting I recommend to have minimal damage done to close the school.  You will be given a 24Hr notice and a 12 Hr notice, God bless.”

There was no blessing obviously and thankfully, no violence.  Some of the schools targeted with the violent email are still on Easter Holiday.

“A joint meeting between education officials and senior police officers was convened promptly after the emails were reported. The RT&CIPF’s Intelligence Unit is fully engaged and working to trace the origin of the messages.

We understand that these messages may cause concern and wish to assure the public that everything possible is being done to protect our school communities,” informed the police press statement.

The statement came after 10 p.m. on Thursday April 23.

The sender, identified in the email as ‘Charles Millson’ and issued the threat to multiple schools via their staff accounts about 12 hours earlier, just minutes before 10 a.m. on April 23.  In the subject line: ‘Close Down the School.’

In this age of hyper-advanced technology, the email probably emanated from a phony account created to perpetrate this crime, which is in violation of the Summary Offences Ordinance, where ‘causing fear’ is cited as a crime and the Firearms Ordinances, which carries a weighty penalty of a 12-year minimum mandatory prison time for possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition.

Authorities are expected to update the public on the progress of the investigation and its next steps. Students will remain home on Friday.

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