News
Turks & Caicos Ports Make Spectacular Rebound and near $7 million in earnings
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, July 15, 2022 – Revenues were up 25 percent for the Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority over last year and that meant goods brought into the islands achieved record breaking levels; a bitter sweet accomplishment for the British overseas territory.
“I am sure you will agree, the performance of a nation’s ports is an important barometer of the strength of its economy. There was a rebound in shipping during the year. We received 754 vessel calls, which was a 21% increase over 2019/20. We recorded a 59% increase in imported cargo volumes in 2021/22. We handled 594,498 tons of cargo compared to 374,194 tons in the previous year.
The rebound in shipping had positive implications for our revenues, we ended the year with a revenue outturn of $6,928,891, which was 25% higher than estimated,” reported Urban Francis, Chairman of the Ports Authority at the
Annual General Meeting held on June 23, 2022.
Nearly 600,000 tons of cargo came in and the earnings for the Ports Authority is leading to some major re-investments to modernize ports spaces in the country.
“My fellow Directors and I are proud of the many infrastructure developments taking place on ‘our watch, with a planned investment of about $60 million.’ This will be our legacy. We are pleased that we have projects taking place on all Islands such as the Welcome Center, Master Plan, phase 2 and dredging at Bellefield Landing, North Caicos; and the South Caicos Port Rehabilitation Project,” informed Mr. Francis.
Staff motivation efforts also ranked high in the report by the Chairman, from staff longevity and training hours, to community projects and regional leadership which he surmised helped in the Ports Authority’s brand awareness.
“The Ports Authority continues to develop positive brand identity through our community Outreach program, while giving back to the communities we serve. During the year we:
- recognized our Nurses on International Nurse’s Day;
- collaborated with the Social Welfare Department to bring Christmas cheer to fifty (50) foster children;
- recognized local seafarers in our publications;
- held an Online Photography Contest to select photos for our 2022 Calendar; and
- supported the Middle Caicos Valentine’s Day Cup.
Internationally, the Ports Authority hosted the 24th Annual Meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean in June 2021. At end of the meeting, we were awarded the Nova Port Cup, which represented the best performing member port, based on several objective KPIs. Our Director of Ports was also elected Vice Chairman of the association for a 2-year term of office.”
Seven major staff development achievements were cited in the meeting held at the Sands at Grace Bay.
“One Thousand and One Hundred and Ninety (1,190) hours of staff training was undertaken, an average of 22 hours per staff.
We promoted Ms. Shawna Lewis and Ms. Sharea Rigby to the positions of Deputy Director and Financial Controller, respectively. Mrs. Sharona Walkin and Mr. Pierre Clerveaux were promoted to positions of Port Facility Security Officer and Safety Officer at South Dock, Provo, respectively; while Mr. Ronadio Roberts of the Grand Turk port and Mr. Jarrad Forbes of the Provo port were promoted to the position for Security Supervisor.
Fourteen (14) staff completed ten years of service, and were celebrated on November 11th, 2021 at an event held at Beaches Resort; we also bade farewell to Mr. Walter Hanchell, a stalwart of the Ports Authority.”
There were scholarships and professional upgrades.
“Three Hundred and Ninety-Two (392) hours of external virtual staff training was sponsored. Four female officers benefited from scholarships with the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel, resulting in them building capacity in advance security and port management.
Three (3) staff benefited from tertiary level scholarships, sponsored by the Ports Authority.
We sponsored 2 oil spill managements training workshops for over 29 participants; consisting of our staff and stakeholders to build response capability and an organizational restructuring exercise commenced, to have in place an effective structure which maximizes productivity and staff job satisfaction.”
In order to improve the operations and chart a clear path for the future of the Ports Authority, there was consultancy; efforts to vesting crown land assets; a review of the strategic plan and a safety risk assessment among other initiatives.
The Chairman said they would have liked to have signed next phase agreements for port developments underway in the family islands, but that was not to be in the fiscal period.
“Whilst we able to close the tenders for Phase 1 and 2 and the Port office complex associated with the Redevelopment of South Dock, Provo; and the Bellefield Landing Boat Slips project, we are disappointed that we unable to sign contracts for these projects during 2021/22.”
Francis wrapped up his report with a look to the future.
“Some key work plans for upcoming year include: Concluding arrangements to commence Phases 1 and 2 and the Port office Complex associated with the Redevelopment of South Dock, Provo and the Bellefield Landing Boat Slips project; Implementation of agreed recommendations for Organizational Restructuring Exercise; Concluding stevedoring arrangements;Organizational Culture reforms; Preparation of a work plan take forward observations from the risks. assessment of port approaches and internal waters of the TCI; Introduction of Port Emergencies Management Plan prepared by the Organization of American States for PMAC; Preparation of Port Maintenance Dredging Policies and Plans; Concluding arrangements for PMAC Data Intelligence Project to improve statistics and an evaluation of the impact of our public awareness programs.”
The Minister of Border Services, with ports in his portfolio, Arlington Musgrove was thanked, “for his unwavering support and continued confidence in the Board and Staff.”
The meeting was held at the conference room of the Atrium, Leeward, Providenciales.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
Press Release
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
News
Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.
“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”
That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.
In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.
Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident. 
That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.
A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.
The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.
The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.
Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.
Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.
When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.
The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.
Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.
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