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Woman Drowns in Grand Turk waters, Civilian captures the haphazard ordeal

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 1, 2023 – Shocking footage is coming out of Grand Turk showing the apparent rescue of a 63-year old woman, comes less than two months after residents begged for the Government to speed up the reopening of the marine unit on the island.

Grand Turk welcomes over 1 million cruise visitors each year; thousands at a time pour into the island which continues to lack marine support and lifeguards along the beaches.

A video shared with our news team shows men, on Tuesday, on a kayak struggling to tow, from the rough ocean, a Caucasian woman who was unresponsive and listless.  She is dragged through the water, half in-half out until the men manage to reach the beach where at least one police officer and a crowd of people are waiting.

She is hurriedly placed on a backboard, possibly a gurney and despite the presence of uniformed personnel, it is a Caucasian woman in plain clothes, who begins to administer CPR, pumping her chest, desperately.

It is not clear if the woman was alive when she got to shore and further video shared by residents shows the body, huddled on the beach covered by a tarp, the crowd having already dispersed.

One woman filming incensed by what she called, “a lack of urgency” in what was obviously an emergency situation.  Another observer, to Magnetic Media said, “the Chukka guys did the best they could.  She was obese, looks like something happened out in the water.  She was heavy to get back to shore and her swim suit camouflaged her on a day when the surf was rough.”

Our news team has reached out to both the Police, who were on site with at least two members, and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association to find out what exactly happened.

While the TCHTA was unaware of the incident, following media queries police released this statement:  Around 11.01 a.m. yesterday, Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force responded to a report of a drowning accident near a beach in the vicinity of Close Haul Road, Grand Turk.  Based on preliminary reports, a 63-year old woman went swimming at the beach and got into difficulties.  The woman was pronounced dead by a Medical Doctor at  11:53 am.  The RTCIPF are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.”

The rescue operation was less than ideal, carried out by untrained civilians.  The disorganized effort to pull the visitor from the water was therefore unrehearsed, dangerous and lacked leadership.  For many, the booming popularity of the island coupled with the sluggish pace to respond to the urgent need for staffing of a full team of emergency personnel is recipe for disaster.

Caribbean News

As Uncertainty Grows, Aquila Doubles Down on Destination Training

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Aquila Managing Partner Melanie Colpitts with Ed Limon, cofounder of Winged Whale Media, at Seatrade in Miami last month

Miami, Fl, May 12, 2025 – As the cruise tourism industry navigates global economic recalibration and rising geopolitical uncertainty, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is doubling down on its mission: training Caribbean destinations to deliver exceptional guest experiences, no matter the climate.

At Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, Aquila Managing Partner Melanie Colpitts emphasized the growing importance of workforce development as a strategic advantage. “When travelers are more selective with their spending, it’s the destinations that consistently deliver excellence that will stand out,” said Colpitts.

With the energy on the show floor buzzing, Aquila led strategic conversations focused on future-proofing the Caribbean’s tourism product through long-term training investments. From cruise line executives to destination decision-makers, the message was clear: quality training pays off.

Aquila, a leading training partner for the cruise industry for more than 15 years, unveiled new initiatives at the conference, including immersive VR-based programs developed in collaboration with Winged Whale Media. The team activated a dynamic takeover of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) booth, hosting live demonstrations, mini-training sessions, and interactive activities that illustrated how technology can enhance both the visitor experience and community capacity.

Product development and sustainability were front and center in this year’s training dialogue. “Destinations want to build experiences that are not only memorable but meaningful and sustainable,” said Colpitts. “It’s about enriching the guest journey while protecting and celebrating the culture and communities that make the Caribbean so special.”

With global economic uncertainty on the rise, Aquila is urging destinations not to retreat but to double down on service delivery. “Even if arrivals dip, we must exceed expectations for guests. That kind of experience drives powerful word of mouth – and training is the foundation,” added Colpitts.

As the official training partner of the FCCA, Aquila remains committed to raising performance standards across the Caribbean and Latin America, equipping destinations with the skills and tools to compete – and win – on the global stage.

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Government

Governor Calls for Bold, Community-Led Policing in Crime Fight

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Providenciales, TCI Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has issued a strong call for data-driven, intelligence-led and community-based policing to combat rising crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In remarks delivered at the recent swearing-in of Commissioner Fitz Bailey, the Governor underscored the urgent need for reform, accountability and strategic collaboration across agencies and borders.

“Our response to crime must be strategic, data-driven, intelligence-led and collaborative—across agencies, across borders and above all, with the communities we serve,” the Governor said, addressing law enforcement officers and regional dignitaries.

She warned that criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, and that the TCI is at the “sharp end” of regional security threats. Against that backdrop, she outlined a vision for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as an institution rooted in fairness, strengthened by public trust, and driven by results.

“We must be unforgiving in our zero-tolerance approach to misconduct,” she added. “Wearing the badge must continue to be a source of pride, not of power or privilege.”

Governor Selvaratnam praised Commissioner Bailey for his record of modern, community-focused leadership and said his appointment marked a critical moment for the country’s law enforcement strategy. While the ceremony took place two weeks ago, her words continue to resonate amid ongoing public concern about violent crime and border security.

Quoting from the Bible and invoking the moral arc of justice, the Governor emphasized that effective policing must be grounded in integrity, humility and service.

With regional police leaders from Jamaica and The Bahamas in attendance, the event signaled a united front against shared threats—and a new chapter in the push for a safer, more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Caribbean News

Haiti in Crisis: Children and Families Caught in the Crossfire of Gang Violence

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

 

Haiti, May 15, 2025 – Haiti is facing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe as gang violence continues to spread across the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee and placing children at immense risk. According to the United Nations, a recent spike in armed conflict in the Lower Artibonite and Centre Departments has displaced over 66,000 people in less than two weeks — including at least 15,000 children. The displaced now seek shelter in overcrowded rural zones or makeshift sites, where access to clean water, food, and basic healthcare is dangerously limited.

Between April 28 and May 3 alone, over 16,000 people fled their homes in Lower Artibonite, with families living in precarious conditions and reliant on emergency aid. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading coordination efforts to support national authorities in addressing priority needs. In response, UNICEF has deployed mobile clinics, delivering essential pediatric care and immunization services to nearly 2,000 people. Hygiene kits and nutritional support are also being distributed to prevent further deterioration of health conditions in displacement sites.

The situation for children is especially dire. Many are being exposed to or directly affected by violence, including forced recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, and family separation. UNICEF and its partners are responding by establishing child-friendly spaces and delivering psychosocial support to more than 1,400 children. Specialized case management is underway, with at least 150 high-risk cases referred to protection services.

Despite these efforts, humanitarian needs far exceed current funding. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan identifies over $44 million needed for child protection alone. Yet, to date, only about $68 million of the total $908 million required for the entire country has been secured—just 7 percent of the target. As Haiti braces for the approaching hurricane season, the urgent call for international support has never been more critical.

Haiti’s complex crisis—driven by gang control, political instability, and chronic underdevelopment—demands sustained global attention. Without swift, coordinated action, an entire generation risks being lost to violence, displacement, and neglect

PHOTO CAPTION:  © UNICEF/Herold Josep

Dozens of people displaced from the Haitian communes of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau attend hygiene awareness sessions in Boucan Carré.

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