TCI News

Unchecked Cargo and Pleasure boats barred from docking in sister islands; TCI Customs sets up boat examination centers

Published

5 years ago

March 14, 2020

#TurksandCaicos – March 14, 2020 — Ships coming into the Turks and Caicos for business or pleasure must now check in at designated centers in Grand Turk and Providenciales first; no ships will be allowed to dock with passengers or cargo in the sister islands according to the Collector of Customs.

“As a result of the global concern in relation to the novel Coronavirus, (COVID-19) Pandemic, the Collector of Customs of the Turks and Caicos Islands Customs Department, hereby advises that with immediate effect, customs approved examination stations on the Islands of South Caicos and North Caicos, for the purposes of the loading and unloading of goods and the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers are suspended until further notice.”

It is not stated who will police the new procedure.

Magnetic Media is informed that local and international vessels must initially stop into the dock in Grand Turk or one of designated examination centers in Providenciales, including South Dock before proceeding to the other islands; specifically named are North Caicos and South Caicos.

The Customs notice did not name the new examination centers, nor did it mention how islanders would be able to ascertain if a boat has already passed through the new checkpoint.

The Turks and Caicos Minister of Health, Edwin Astwood, in January confirmed that human capacity is stretched and informed that a Cabinet approved injection of $400,000 is partly allotted to new staff recruitment.

The new measure takes immediate effect, explained the Customs Department and the notice was issued overnight; another example of the fluidity of national rules and regulations in relation to the rampant global spread of the pandemic, coronavirus.

It is explained that, “No goods will be loaded and offloaded and no passenger allowed embarking and disembarking at Sandy Point, North Caicos, or Cockburn Harbour, South Caicos.”

Precise logistics were missing in the public notice issued last night, therefore it is unclear how this will affect the sailing and shipping industries which have had little time to prepare for this significant change.

Related Topics:#caribbeanshipping #magneticmedianews #southdock #tcicustomsdepartment #tcignews #tcishipping #turtlecovemarina

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PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

PUBLIC NOTICE

FROM THE Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT – FOR CORAL GARDENS DUNE REPLENISHMENT – PR16651, 60812/57, PENNs ROAD,GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report – for Coral Gardens Dune Replenishment – PR 16651, 60812/57, Penns Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has been finalized and is available online for public review at:

https://www.gov.tc/planning/pr-16651

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report was submitted in accordance with Section 44 (1) b of the Physical Planning Ordinance. Comments on the EIA report can be sent to the Department of Planning via email to planningconsultation@gov.tc or Environmental Compliance Manager, Garry Mclean- gmclean@gov.tc or in writing to the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, or at South Base, Grand Turk on or before Monday, June 09^th,2025.

A Public Consultation on the EIA will be held on Thursday, May 29^th ,2025 at 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. at the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. All interested persons are invited to attend to air their views, have their concerns addressed, and have their questions answered. This is your opportunity to add your voice to the discussion.

News

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

PUBLIC NOTICE

FROM THE Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT – FOR THE ROMANZA ON GRACE BAY TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – PR16739, 60900/258, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report – for the Romanza on Grace Bay Townhouses and Condominium Development Project – PR16739, 60900/258, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has been finalized and is available online for public review at:

https://www.gov.tc/planning/images/docs/PR16739.pdf

A Public Consultation on the EIA will be held on Thursday, May 15^th ,2025 at 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. at the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. All interested persons are invited to attend to air their views, have their concerns addressed, and have their questions answered. This is your opportunity to add your voice to the discussion.

Photo caption: Beaches Turks & Caicos

News

Elite Fast Rope Training for Members of the Royal TCI Police Force

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) is proud to announce that officers from the Tactical Unit, Response and Operations, and Serious Crime have recently completed an intensive, week-long Fast Rope Training Course aimed at enhancing their capabilities in rapid deployment and high-angle operations.

This rigorous, high-level training was conducted in Exuma, Bahamas, and facilitated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (Tactical Helicopter Section).

Participants received hands-on instruction and real-world practice in executing rapid helicopter insertions—an essential skill for missions in environments where aircraft cannot safely land.

Fast rope training is a specialized military and tactical technique that allows personnel to quickly descend from a hovering helicopter using a thick rope—without the use of a harness. Commonly used by elite tactical units worldwide, this method is crucial in high-stakes, time-sensitive operations such as counter-narcotics, search and rescue, and critical incident responses.

The RT&CIPF congratulates the following officers on their successful completion of the course:

Acting Inspector Latoya Rigby
Constables Christopher O’Neil, Anton Ferguson, Kimberlee Markland, Tenesha Stewart, Demareo Outten, Alex Joseph, Rojay Graham, and Shan Livermore
We extend our sincere thanks to the U.S. DEA for their ongoing partnership and expert guidance, which greatly enhances our operational capabilities.