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Storm Surge Workshop opens in New Providence

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By MATT MAURA

Bahamas Information Services

 

 

#NASSAU, The Bahamas, May 20, 2023 – Meteorologists, climatologists, oceanographers, Geographic Information Services experts, Emergency Managers and Planners, and storm surge experts from the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States of America, have joined their Bahamian counterparts in New Providence for the Bahamas Department of Meteorology’s Storm Surge Workshop.

The workshop, which opened Tuesday (March 16) and will conclude Thursday (March 18), drew participants from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Maarten, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Curacao, Belize, Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas.

Included in the activities observing Disaster Preparedness Month throughout the month of May in The Bahamas, the event is facilitated by storm surge experts from the Storm Surge Unit of the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida. The workshop is sponsored by the University for Corporation and Atmospheric Research (UCAR), located in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.

UCAR is a US non-profit consortium of more than 100 colleges and universities providing research and training in the atmospheric and related sciences and manages the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on behalf of the National Science Foundation. UCAR is a hub for the Earth system sciences, and a gateway to cutting-edge resources and services. Its community programmes offer essential resources and services to support the Earth system sciences.

Local, regional and global researchers say storm surge associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, when combined with waves, is one of the greatest threats to life, property and the environment — especially for low-lying, coastal areas such as The Bahamas.

Storm surge is primarily caused by the strong winds in a hurricane or tropical storm. Additional impacts of storm surge include extensive property loss, erosion of beaches, damage to coastal habitats, and undermining of the foundations of infrastructure such as roads, docks, bridges and government buildings in the case of The Bahamas. Storm surge also poses a serious threat of death by drowning.

Acting Director of The Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Jeffrey Simmons, said one of the expected outcomes of the workshop is two-fold — the development of a Storm Surge Atlas for The Bahamas, and acquiring the tools to better forecast storm surge.

“At the end of the day we definitely want to be able to have the tools to better forecast storm surge,” Mr. Simmons said. “We are looking at developing a model so that whenever we have a hurricane (or tropical storm) approaching, we can just put in all of the information pertaining to real time information with regards to intensity, size, its movement and then it will actually give us a map of how deep we can expect water in certain areas on certain islands that would be affected. It will also give emergency managers and planners, government decision-makers with more real-time data on a number of matters ranging from possible evacuations to shelter locations.”

Dr. Cody Fritz, PhD., is a Storm Surge expert and the Head of the National Hurricane Centre’s Storm Surge Unit. He spoke of the dangers associated with storm surge.

“We’ve done a lot of studies that have shown historically that storm surge is the leading cause of death on any given day for a hurricane and it has really been the Hurricane Centre’s position to work towards developing scenarios, introducing hypothetical scenarios to kind of understand the true vulnerability from storm surge,” Dr. Fritz said.

“Knowing that storm surge is a serious threat to loss of life and has historically been that leading cause of death in a tropical cyclone, it has been our approach to communicate just how threatening storm surge can be in any given event.

“I would really tell people in The Bahamas to heed those warnings that come as associated with tropical cyclones and hurricanes, and storm surge especially. You are low-lying and you have a lot of vulnerabilities, significant risk to storm surge in this area,” Dr. Fritz added.

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson

 

Header: Robbie Berg, NOAA/NWS/National Hurricane Center; Cody Fritz, NOAA/NWS/National Hurricane Center; Kathryn Payne, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Katie Chapman, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Raegan Kerfoot, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Jeffrey Simmons, Acting Director/Bahamas Department of Meteorology

1st insert: Members of the Bahamian delegation attending the Storm Surge Workshop which opened in New Providence Tuesday, May 16 at the Margaritaville Resort. The workshop is sponsored by the University for Corporation and Atmospheric Research located in Boulder, Colorado, United States of America. Pictured (from left) are: Dr. Brandon Bethel, University of The Bahamas; Jade Pearce, National GIS Centre, Ministry of the Environment; Suzanne Russell-Dorsett, NEMA/GIS Specialist, Grand Bahama; Jeffrey Simmons, Acting Director, Bahamas Department of Meteorology; Geoffrey Greene, Chief Meteorologist, Bahamas Department of Meteorology; Shayvonne Moxey-Bonamy

Chief Meteorologist/OIC, Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Grand Bahama Office; and Mary Butler, Chief Meteorologist, Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

2nd insert: Meteorologists, Hazard and Disaster Management Specialists, and Storm Surge Specialists from around the Caribbean for the 2023 Storm Surge Workshop.

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Monument Beverage Co. Caribbean Wines & Spirits Uniquely Bahamian Newest Product

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.

Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.

This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.

The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.

The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.

Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.

“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.

“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”

The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.

Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.

Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice.  Monument is made to celebrate, visit  www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.

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Lady Kayla Crowned Goombay Punch Cup Sailing Champion of 2025/2026

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L–R: Joss Knowles, Kianno Hutchinson, Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager at Caribbean Bottling Company and Dallas Knowles receiving a donation on behalf of the Exuma Sailing Club at the Long Island Regatta awards ceremony.

NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.

CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.

The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.

Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.

Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.

“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.

“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.

Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.

“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top.  In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla.  Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.

For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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