Bahamas News
Bahamas gets timeline and assistance update on COVID-19 plagued Cruise Ship, Braemer
#Nassau, Bahamas – March 18, 2020 — FULL STATEMENT by Renward Wells, Minister of Transport
Mister Speaker;
Today I wish to report that the humanitarian relief afforded The Bahamas Flag cruise ship Braemar is completed and that the ship has departed Bahamian waters.
Mister Speaker;
I wish to provide a chronology of events regarding this matter in order to fully apprise Bahamians of the sequence of events that led to the resolution of this matter. We were initially advised via email on 11th March, 2020 that the Cruise Ship Braemar was en route to Barbados with confirmed coronavirus cases looking for a port of call to dock. The ship was denied entry into Barbados which was its home port.
Mister Speaker;
The ship entered Bahamian territorial waters on 13th March, 2020, with a crew of 381 and 682 passengers, including citizens from 33 countries. More than 97% of the ship’s passengers were of British nationality, and more than 90% were over 60 years of age.
A few people on board had tested positive for COVID-19, and the ship which had been on a Caribbean itinerary, had already been denied entry into several Caribbean ports, including Barbados.
The owners of the Cruise Ship, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, opened dialogue with The Bahamas, since it was registered under our flag. They also engaged the UK authorities due to the fact that there were hundreds of British citizens on board.
Mister Speaker;
The Bahamas Government’s course of action was to immediately establish an inter-agency team which comprised of representatives of The Office of The Prime Minister, the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, the Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Health, all at the highest level, to set The Bahamas’ policy and establish parameters for this national issue. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Transport and Local Government and Minister of Grand Bahama headed this team, whose remit was to set policies and action points and to interface with the government of the United Kingdom. The Minister of Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Iram Lewis, also offered invaluable advice to the operations’ team.
The ship’s owners requested The Bahamas’ assistance with supplying the vessel with essential medical supplies, provisions and fuel; and also for the disposal of refuse and the disembarkation and repatriation of passengers; which they anticipated would occur at a dock and other facilities in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas Government however, did not allow the ship to dock at a Bahamian port or berth and advised that any discharges from the ship were prohibited in Bahamian waters. Further, we declined to accept any refuse from the ship and did not allow any disembarkation whatsoever and/or repatriation from The Bahamas by any of the passengers – in light of the broader health risks posed.
Mister Speaker;
We did, however, offer to provide humanitarian relief to the ship – without the ship docking at a Bahamian port.
The conditions advised were that this would occur at a location out at sea where the ship could be given aid in an isolated area.
Acting Port Controller, Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright assisted in this endeavor by identifying a temporary safe anchorage site for the ship in a remote area in the Great Isaac Bank, which is some twenty-five (25) nautical miles from Freeport, where the required humanitarian operation could be safely carried out.
Mister Speaker;
Permit me to now provide a more comprehensive and detailed timeline from the cruise ship Braemars arrival to its departure from Bahamian territorial waters.
On Friday 13th March, 2020, the Braemar entered Bahamian territorial waters from the South. The vessel was reported, at the time, to have on board five (5) persons that is; one (1) passenger, and four (4) crew members with confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a number of persons in quarantine with flu-like symptoms. The Bahamas Government’s, inter-agency team held a telephone conference, which was joined in part by the UK High Commissioner, to review possible arrangements.
British Officials requested that a few medical and support personnel and six (6) additional crew members be allowed to embark the ship during The Bahamas’ humanitarian operation. It was made unequivocally clear that no one would disembark the ship in The Bahamas.
Our next course of action was to establish an on-site team for the Freeport and Great Isaac Bank operations. This team was headed by the Acting Port Controller and representatives of the Chief Medical Officer in the persons of Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Hedge (pronounced Heggee) of Freeport; both of whom provided invaluable assistance on the ground.
The ship’s managers were advised of the location of refuge and the conditions for the planned operations were discussed. The ship’s managers provided details of their proposed arrangements for refueling; details of the embarking crew and identification of the local ship’s agents were provided.
The proposed plan was reviewed by the Acting Port Controller and Chief Medical Officer’s representatives, who made amendments to ensure that best safety practices were employed at all times.
Six (6) crew members arrived in Nassau and were cleared in the charge of the ship’s agent who subsequently transferred the crew to Freeport.
The next day, which was Saturday 14th March, 2020, the ship arrived at the identified anchorage and the Acting Port Controller arrived in Freeport to act as the on scene Coordinator for the proposed operation.
The proposed operational plans were further fine-tuned, additional control measures and protocols were also introduced.
Mister Speaker;
On the second day of the plan, Sunday 15th March, 2020, in keeping with the operational plans, the Bahamian tug crew were all fully briefed and provided with appropriate protective gear prior to departure. A barge with the provisions and the ship’s crew members who had flown in, were towed by tug from Freeport to a designated point in the vicinity of the vessel, and anchored at that location.
It is important to note here Mister Speaker, that the provisions were then loaded on to the Braemar by its crew – with no physical contact of any nature between the Bahamian crew and any Braemar personnel. The medical personnel bound for the ship arrived in Freeport after air transfer from Nassau, and the arrangements for the transfer of these persons to the ships were reviewed by the on scene Coordinator and his team with agreed control measures and medical control introduced.
Mister Speaker;
The medical team was transferred to the ship by launch and they boarded without any contact between the ship or the launch’s personnel who had been fully briefed and equipped regarding proper medical protocol.
Mister Speaker;
On the final day of the operation which was Monday 16th March, 2020, the Braemar cruise ship departed Bahamian territorial waters with its full complement of passengers, crew and personnel.
Mister Speaker;
I wish to advise that as a precautionary measure, the barge will remain on its own at anchorage (at sea) for a period of seventy-two (72) hours before The Bahamas medical authorities initiate a complete cleaning and disinfecting process.
Mister Speaker;
I am pleased to also report that the ship’s owners were fully cooperative throughout the operation. Additionally, it is instructive that at all stages of the operation none of the passengers left the ship and there was no contact whatsoever between the ship’s crew and the Bahamian tug or crew.
Mister Speaker;
The success of this aspect of the operation was contingent on the involvement and coordination by Acting Port Controller Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright, with the support and assistance of Captain Dwain Hutchinson and the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the representatives of the Chief Medical Officer.
Mister Speaker;
We are all keenly aware of the devastating impact that this pandemic has had on many countries in the world. We must all acknowledge however, that challenges will continue to abound in combating its spread. Ultimately however, we have to determine what is in the best interest of the Bahamian people. That is paramount. Notwithstanding, we continue to pray for the safe and successful passage and well-being of the passengers and crew of the cruise ship Braemar.
The Government of The Bahamas by way of the Bahamas Maritime Authority will continue to be in constant communication with the owners of the Braemar, and in so doing we will continue to update the Bahamian people as warranted.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish to embrace this opportunity to thank the numerous people who came together, whether hands on, or remotely, to ensure the successful outcome of this operation and invariably for the safety, well-being and best interest of all Bahamians.
From: Bahamas Information Services
By LLONELLA GILBERT
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe said despite global efforts to combat it, Human Trafficking keeps growing.
“It thrives where there is poverty, a lack of education or any area in which there is a conflict,” the National Security Minister said at the Opening of the Bahamas National Neighbourhood Watch Council Two-Day Workshop on Human Trafficking at the Paul E.
Farquharson Centre, Police Headquarters on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
He explained that there are countries in our hemisphere where those three issues are happening and persons from those nations are being trafficked to The Bahamas and elsewhere.
“It is happening in our country, so there is no point seeking to hide our head in the sand and saying it is happening somewhere else.”
The Minister noted that authorities have found young Bahamian girls who were trafficked for sexual exploitation by family members.
He said human trafficking continues to be a problem because it is a lucrative industry.
The Minister explained that the International Labour Organization statistics show that over $150 billion was made from human trafficking in 2017.
He said local law enforcement officials need all the help they can get to address this problem.
The Minister said, “Therefore, it is critical for the National Neighbourhood Watch Council and its constituent neighbourhood watch
associations to be part of the effort to eliminate modern day slavery.”
Trafficking in Persons Task Force Chairman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Indirah Belle said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that in 2022, 50 million persons were illegally trafficked globally; and in the Caribbean and Latin American region most are girls under the age of 18.
ASP Belle said although there are instances of Bahamians being trafficked, The Bahamas is mainly a destination and not a source country.
She said human trafficking is known as transporting people against their will and is different from human smuggling.
ASP Belle explained that human trafficking is not voluntary while human smuggling is voluntary and people usually pay to be taken across borders.
She also explained that people are being trafficked not only for cheap labour and the sex industry.
ASP Belle said people are being trafficked for their organs. A heart can go for $120,000, a kidney for $150,000, a pancreas for $125,000 and a stomach for $500,000.
She said some of the causes for human trafficking include poverty, lack of education, abuse, homelessness, family dysfunction, political instability, unemployment, civil unrest/armed conflict and natural disasters.
ASP Belle explained that human trafficking can be prevented by dealing with the root causes.
She said this can be done by:
- Reducing the vulnerability of potential victims through social and economic development;
- Discouraging the demands for the services of trafficked persons;
- Public education;
- Law enforcement interventions/healthcare interventions/social assistance;
- Preventing the corruption of public officials; and
- Creating employment opportunities
PHOTO CAPTION
Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe brought remarks at the Opening of the Bahamas National Neighbourhood Watch Council Two-Day Workshop on Human Trafficking at the Paul E. Farquharson Centre, Police Headquarters, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Trafficking in Persons Task Force Chairman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Indirah Belle was the main presenter at the workshop. (BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)
Bahamas News
DPH Administrators encouraged to embrace innovation, strengthen communication channels, uphold highest standards
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville is continuing a comprehensive administrative approach to the delivery of healthcare across the country.
On Monday, September 16, 2024 he officially opened a four-day conclave hosted by the Department of Public Health for administrators in New Providence and the Family Islands.
Held at Breezes Resort on Cable Beach, the conclave brought together Clinic Administrators under the theme: ‘Embracing Transformation…The Way Forward.’
The objective is to foster collaboration among administrators and provide a platform for sharing the successes and challenges encountered in managing healthcare services and delivery throughout The Bahamas.
”Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a privilege to welcome you … and to give God thanks for health and strength as we come together as a family to discuss the state of our nation’s healthcare system and the road map ahead over the next two years,” said Dr. Darville.
He told them that as key leaders in public service, they play a vital role in the success of the healthcare system.
“You are the gatekeepers and drivers of public health. Our success depends on your leadership, professionalism, and commitment to providing quality care and services,” he stated. Dr. Darville said that he has a role to play as well stating: “I am even more energized and determined to execute my Ministry’s transformative agenda for healthcare.”
Administrators were encouraged to embrace innovation and strengthen communication channels within their teams and the Department of Public Health.
Presenters were scheduled to tackle key areas such policy updates, operational procedures and future strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery. The sessions were designed to equip administrators with the tools and insights necessary for continued growth and transformation in the health sector.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Department of Public Health remain focused on building a more inclusive, efficient, and resilient health care system throughout The Bahamas.
“It is essential that you act as the bridge between the Ministry, Department of Public Health and the communities you serve,” Dr. Darville said. “Going forward we all must remain informed on current policies, protocols, and health initiatives so that you can provide accurate guidance to staff and ensure quality service delivery,” he added.
Dr. Darville then charged the administrators to uphold the highest standards of customer service within their health facilities.
“The public deserves to be heard, respected, and valued when seeking healthcare. Each patient interaction is an opportunity to build trust in our healthcare system and communities,” Dr. Darville said.
NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS — Addressing an Investment Forum in Washington DC, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper said it is “Better in The Bahamas” when it comes to doing business.
“If you’re looking to do business and to invest, The Bahamas is better than ever before,” he said as he urged potential investors to take advantage of opportunities being rolled out by the Bahamas Government.
Deputy Prime Minister thanked Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Wendall Jones for organizing this important event.
“This is a most progressive initiative. We are taking a monumental step today to forge progressive partnerships for the prosperity of our country:
Said differently, we are here to do business. We want to do business with you.”
The deputy prime minister, who was a businessman before entering politics, shared first-hand experience of doing business in The Bahamas which he described as “an amazing place” to do so.
“I quickly grasped a few basic principles as an entrepreneur: understand your market, create something of value, then market your product. Now, I carry those principles with me in government, as minister of tourism,” he said.
According to the minister, it is not incredibly difficult to sell a vacation to The Bahamas. He confirmed that the government is committed to providing the necessary support to help ensure investment is a success, through the one-stop facilitation of the Bahamas Investment Authority.
“We have a strong brand, but God has done most of the work in positioning the Islands of The Bahamas.”
He noted that the country’s beauty is incomparable and it’s easily accessible from major tourism markets – two hours from DC and 27 minutes from Miami.
“However, we still sell it and constantly work on strengthening that product. I’m also the minister of Investments. And if you think about it, that makes sense,” he said.
Many of the reasons tourists come to The Bahamas, are the reasons that investors should consider The Bahamas, according to the minister.
He noted the dollar parity with the United States, a stable democracy, and peaceful hospitable people. And, visa-free seamless travel from the US with Pre-Clearance and TSA checks.
“We have a strong growing economy that has allowed us to build modern infrastructure throughout our archipelago,” the minister said, adding that more direct flights are being scheduled between The Bahamas and the US.
The minister touted record tourism arrival numbers: in 2023 arrival of 10 million visitors which was an increase of more than 30 percent ahead of 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Already this year the country is seeing a 15 percent growth in overall arrivals, over the 2023 record.
He then shared recent policy initiatives aimed to make The Bahamas more attractive, reducing carbon footprints and enhancing environmental resilience.
This is being achieved through the National Investment Policy, which is designed to attract investment in alternative energy, green technology, eco-tourism and carbon credits.
“We are also advancing The Bahamas as a digital society, fully embracing smart technology and the digital economy,” he said.
Another area shared by the minister is progressive legislation benchmarked against international best practice including: Digital Assets and Registered Exchange Act, the Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act, the Climate Change Initiative Act, the Carbon Credit Trading Act, and Cannabis measures.
“All innovative pieces of legislation that demonstrate our commitment to innovation and to revolutionizing our economy that open new vistas for our country, in a secure, transparent and well-regulated way,” he said.
In health care, finance, education, financial services and tourism, he said AI applications are vast and will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Bahamian economy.
The minister said another way to invest in The Bahamas is through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that have been critical to the success of many government projects, and they remain a key strategy as in the continued building of infrastructure.
Of note, is the keen interest of the US Exim Bank and Chairman Reta Jo Lewis in supporting and funding US companies seeking to do business in The Bahamas, he shared.
“What I am saying is that we are open for business and in the last three years we have attracted more than $10 billion in new foreign direct investments.
“This includes a $600 million ship repair facility in Grand Bahama Island, capable of accommodating the largest ships in the world, and a $600 million cruise port by Carnival Cruise lines.”
He pointed out that the Family Islands Renaissance Project aims to modernize more than a dozen airports across the country, improving connectivity, boosting tourism, and creating jobs.
“We are building new hospitals and clinics, launching wellness and rejuvenation clinics and will have one the best healthcare systems in the Caribbean in the coming years,” the minister said.
(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)
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