Daily Archives: November 24, 2020

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) was put on notice today that its plan to drill an offshore exploratory well will be hit with legal action if the company does not agree to halt all activities pending a court review of its environmental authorization process.

In an update to its investors yesterday, BPC confirmed it is on track to spud its exploratory well within six weeks, with the company indicating that it plans to complete all well activities prior to mid-April 2021.

But oil drilling opponents say they will apply for an injunction that bars the company from starting to drill at the same time as they ask the local court to vet the circumstances under which BPCs licences were granted, a legal process known as a judicial review.

In the meantime, they urged BPC to cease and desist from its plan to immediately mobilize the drill ship Stena IceMAX, currently in the Canary Islands but set to head for The Bahamas before the end of the month.

According to grassroots coalition Our Islands, Our Future, BPC has now officially been warned that its environmental approvals are being challenged and the company should not insist on launching the IceMAX or taking any other steps towards drilling in defiance of the judicial review process.

To be clear, we intend to stop BPC from drilling in Bahamian waters, said Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeeper Bahamas and a member of the coalition steering committee. We are very encouraged by the huge support, both local and international, that we continue to receive. Over 100 businesses and organizations have joined the Our Islands, Our Future coalition, and 40,000 concerned individuals have signed the change.org petition. The petition numbers are growing every day.

At the same time, we are disappointed with the lack of dialogue with the Bahamas government and are finding it necessary to ask the courts of law to step in and examine the approvals process. The company has been duly put on notice; any further actions to pursue or accelerate its plans will be undertaken at its own risk.

The coalition had hoped to avoid legal action, which is why we wrote to The Bahamas Prime Minister about our concerns several times but got no response. Now, as the drill ship is about to sail, we have been left with no choice.

Fellow steering committee member BREEF (Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation) Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert said the group believes there were certain fundamental flaws in the approvals process so far, including a deficient environmental impact assessment (EIA) and a lack of proper consultation at various stages, which means that BPCs approvals need to be revisited.

She emphasized that the coalition is only asking BPC to respect the legal process in The Bahamas.

We have asked repeatedly to be consulted on the details of the deal, to see the drilling licenses themselves, for access to more information on BPCs insurance coverage and the environmental sensitivity maps they have supposedly compiled. It seems appealing to the courts is the only way to achieve some transparency, said McKinney-Lambert.

For example, we are being asked to take their word that the company has adequate insurance. What does that even mean in this context? The Deepwater Horizon disaster took place while BP was trying to cap the exploratory well and it cost $65 billion to clean up. We find it highly unlikely that BPC has insurance coverage to that level, and if they do, why wont they simply come out and provide proof of coverage?

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BPC urged to stand down, warned of possible legal action - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS With continued double-digit cases of the novel coronavirus, The Bahamas has not emerged out of the second wave, according to Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Bahamas Ministry of Health.

The curve is not exactly flat, she told Eyewitness News.

The cases are not exactly low.

If we go and look at this whole epidemic curve from the beginning from March, you will see there were periods where we enjoyed no cases and cases in the single digits.

We are not there yet, so we have to keep in mind if we put our guard down, cases could start to go up again.

And this is the thing, I have heard other [health] professionals say, when we think about waves, we have to think about when waves are over.

The wave is not over yet; cases are coming down, but it is largely dependent on our actions.

New COVID cases fell 29 percent last week compared to the week prior.

New Providence also experienced a 42 percent drop in cases last week, the fifth straight week of declines.

Additionally, the positivity rate in The Bahamas the percentage of people who test positive out of total tests completed has dropped from over 22 percent in September and October to as low as eight percent in recent days.

According to Erin Bromage, a comparative immunologist at the University of Massachusetts, adequate testing and tracing take place when test rates remain around five percent or lower for two weeks.

To the recent trend, Forbes said this is promising, but added that the race is not won yet.

She pointed out that more antigen testing is available and people have been opting to have those tests, which have yet to be included in the overall testing figures.

We ought to continue to be cautious because we have not eliminated COVID-19, so things could go up if people are gathering together, Forbes said.

If there is no change in the mobility of people, and people are not following public health guidelines, then cases can easily start to increase again.

So, we definitely have to have learned lessons and following the prevention measures.

With the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas season, which health officials recognize could incentivize residents to gather, Forbes said: All we can do is urge caution and ask people to keep in mind that COVID spreads easily its very contagious and people gathering closely together, and their masks will be off while eating, and holiday parties, drinking and so on, that would be all that would be needed for COVID to be transmitted, and quite a number of people can get sick.

Forbes referenced the case of a 57-year-old man in Arlington, Texas, who attended his nephews small indoor birthday celebration with 13 other relatives earlier this month.

No one wore masks.

All 15 family members contracted the virus.

Relatives took to social media to encourage others to avoid gathering outside their immediate household.

At least one family member required hospitalization.

Yesterday, Forbes said residents in The Bahamas could face a similar fate if they take the chance to gather and have events in close spaces, forgetting the public health guidelines.

Asked whether the health team expects an increase in cases as a result of holiday gatherings, Forbes said while it is challenging to predict what sort of increase could be observed, there are those who have not followed the guidelines and will continue to do so.

In that vein, we might start to see an increase in the number of cases

It would be hard to predict what kind of percentage rise you would see, but keep in mind this is reliant on individual and collective action.

So, if a few cases that transmit COVID go into the workplace and the community, and there is community spread if people are largely not following public health guidance, then cases will go up and surge and we saw that happen not too long ago in July.

After The Bahamas reopened its borders to international commercial carriers on July 1, cases surged from 104 into the thousands.

The government attributed the increase in large part to residents traveling to hotspot areas and returning to the nation.

At the time, citizens and residents traveling within a 72-hour period were not required to obtain a COVID-19 negative test, a policy that has long been reversed.

As of Sunday, 18 more cases of COVID-19 were recorded in The Bahamas, pushing the total cases to 7,431.

Of these, 1,562 remain active, while another 5,652 or 76 percent have recovered.

The Ministry of Health reported 212 tests were conducted on Sunday, including five repeated tests.

This places The Bahamas daily positivity rate at 8.6 percent.

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Forbes: We are not out of the second wave yet - EyeWitness News

'After evaluating the current climate and conducting an in-depth review of the incredibly strict protocol now being imposed on cruise operators by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have concluded that we should start sailing again in a controlled and thoughtful manner. To this end, we have sold Grand Celebration, and when we resume cruising, we will do so with a focus on our core two-night Grand Bahama Island micro-cation cruises on board one ship, Grand Classica,' the company said in a statement.

'The decision to focus on one ship will make it easier for us to implement all necessary safety protocols and ensure that our business is sustainable long-term, so that we can continue providing a safe and enjoyable vacation to our guests well into the future,' the statement continued. 'We continue to closely monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 and remain in constant communication with the World Health Organization and the Bahamian government, in addition to the CDC.'

Bahamas Paradise did not disclose the buyer or answer questions aboutreports that the ship was going to the breakers, which CEO Oneil Khosa has denied to other media. Sources also told Seatrade Cruise News that demolition is not planned.

The 1,900-passengerGrand Celebration joined the newly formed Bahamas Paradise in 2014 and has sailed from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, since then, on short jaunts to Freeport.

It undertook humanitarian relief missions following Hurricane Dorian in 2019and two years earlier offered housing and meals to those affected by Hurricane Irma and was chartered by the US Federal Emergency Management Agencyto house the National Guard and first responders in the US Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria.

In August reports emerged that some crew alleged they'dbeen working without paysincethe suspension of service due to COVID-19, triggering a lawsuit and an investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Grand Celebration was built in 1987 as Celebration for Carnival Cruise Line. In 2008, it went to another brand in the Carnival Corp. family, Spain's Iberocruceros, sailing as Grand Celebration for several years before transferring to Costa Cruises as Costa Celebration.

With Bahamas Paradise it underwent enhancements in late 2017, shortly before another former Costa ship, neoClassica, joined the fleet the following spring as Grand Classica.

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Bahamas Paradise confirms the sale of Grand Celebration - Seatrade Cruise News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Cases of COVID-19 on Grand Bahama increased from 49 between November 1 and November 7 to 99 in the last week, a more than 100 percent increase.

The island, which has the second largest number of infections, recorded a combined 41 cases over the weekend, outpacing New Providence where the majority of the population resides.

New Providence recorded 25 confirmed cases six on Sunday, 11 on Saturday and nine last Friday.

Grand Bahama recorded 11 new cases on Sunday, 23 on Saturday and seven cases last Friday.

The island recorded 19 cases last Thursday.

During a Ministry of Health press conference last week, health officials attributed the recent increase to exposures at an industrial job site.

A reported 26 of the 38 cases on the island last Wednesday originated from employee interactions in the workplace among an electrical team.

Three of the remaining 12 cases originated from another business on the island, four had no origin linked to a workplace or any other cases and five cases were being sought after as there were gaps in their contact information data.

When asked whether the island was undergoing a cluster of cases or community spread, Dr. Frank Bartlett, head of the GB COVID-19 Task Force, said: It is a mixture of both and one of the what I would have mentioned in the beginning we have defined clusters within different workplaces. But we still dont have a clear-cut explanation for the ones that we are seeing coming into the Accident and Emergency room.

He said more data and analysis is needed to conclude whether there is community spread, which will determine the way forward with potential restrictions.

Bartlett said: The important thing about establishing whether or not you have community spread is that is going to be the determinant as to what type of restrictions you are going to be putting in place.

Cases have been on the rise on the island since early-October.

During the period October 11 to 17, Grand Bahama recorded 23 cases.

In the following week, the island saw 59 new infections.

There were 32 confirmed cases during the week October 18 to 24, and 49 new infections in the next week.

When contacted yesterday, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said while he does not believe a lockdown should be imposed for the island, the governments testing protocol should be expanded and made free for Grand Bahamians.

He also opined that while Grand Bahamians have generally been disciplined, some have become more relaxed or fatigued with the emergency orders of late.

We have to ask our people not to become wary and well-doing and to continue to wash their hands, social distance and wear face masks, he told Eyewitness News.

I dont know if it is because there has been a global spike that we, too, are experiencing it. Then of course, there has also been a change in the weather, so it is imperative for the people of Grand Bahama and throughout the country to recognize that despite what we feel, that we must try to continue to follow the protocols.

There still seems to be a lot of social gatherings. I am seeing videos on my phone in the north relating to people just clustering together and those are things we should be avoiding as a people in order to move forward.

The deaths are also unfortunate because if you have a high spike or a renewed spike in this pandemic, then it also calls for a spike in our deaths as well.

Asked whether restrictive measures should be returned to the island, McAlpine said: I am not sure if the lockdowns are working, I have always said that. I am an advocate [for] more testing and there should be free testing. I dont subscribe to this lockdown

Grand Bahama has a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and limitations on weddings and funerals, which have been limited to 10 people.

The emergency orders allow churches to conduct services, schools to offer in-person learning and restaurants to allow patrons in premises with 50 percent of the maximum occupancy.

Social gatherings have been capped at 20 people at a private residence or facility, though health officials have encouraged the avoidance of such gatherings.

The island last underwent a lockdown between July 23 and August 19 amid a surge of cases.

By mid-August, cases slowed on the island, dropping from high double-digits per day to single digits.

To date, a total of 915 cases and 17 deaths have been recorded on Grand Bahama.

Seven of these deaths were confirmed on Saturday.

The ministry confirmed the death of a 42-year-old woman on Grand Bahama on November 1 and also classified six other deaths that were under investigation.

Of those deaths, there were five men, aged 54, 52, 42, 78 and 83; and one woman, aged 33.

The deaths occurred between October 21 and November 9.

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Grand Bahama cases double in two weeks Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

Yesterday, the Bahamas showed off its first drones as a part of its Bahamas National Unmanned Aerial Program (BNUAP) for national security use. The demonstration was spearheaded by the Minister of National Security, Marvin Dames.

The new fleet of drones showed off during an informal event at the Ministry of National Securitys head office will be used in national security initiatives and to assist law enforcement agencies under the watchful eyes of Dames.

This is all a part of our governments collective plan to integrate technology and to use that integrated technology to assist the personnel out there in the field.

Dames went on to share that these arent Walmart drones the toy drones, not its delivery drones and are actually very capable high-tech flying computers equipped with technologies currently used by authorities.

To ensure everything is covered, short-range and medium-range drones will cover the land, sea, air, and space. The drones will allow authorities to receive real-time data to better understand a situation, track a person or object, and capture lawbreakers.

Present at the event were the heads of the law enforcement agencies that will take advantage of the new drones. One of the uses shared was for the Shot Spotter Program that allows officers to know where shots are being fired from and to use that data to create a heatmap of dangerous areas.

The Minister of National Security shared that as a part of introducing this new technology, officers will be trained to fly the drones and receive a pilots license.

We are working on the establishment of an academy a service academy, an academy of excellence that we hope to provide training not only within The Bahamas but throughout the region. There is a deliberate plan here, and we are committed to that plan; and with these drones and the training that our officers are receiving, this will put us at the forefront.

Three drones will be deployed in the new year, The Nest, The Blimp, and The Quadcopter. The Nest is an autonomous hexacopter with a 55-minute flight time and will be used in the Shot Spotter program, allowing officers to understand better active shooter situations in real-time from a safe distance.

The Blimp is a tethered drone with a maximum altitude of 600 feet and resembles a blimp. It is 17 feet long and can stay in the air for up to eight hours. The drone will be used by the Department of Corrections and by the Department of Immigration to get a constant aerial view of the surroundings.

The Deep Trekker is an underwater drone with an eight-hour endurance time and be deployed to inspect cruise ships and vessels that enter the port of Nassau and other entry points in the country. It will also be used to search for lost items up to 645 feet away.

Photo: Eyewitness News

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The Bahamas gains a new fleet of national security drones - DroneDJ

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday announced that 36 privately-owned preschools will be awarded funding of up to $25,000 each as the Ministry of Education remains committed to its universal preschool strategy.

Speaking at the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centres (SBDC) Presentation of Grants for Preschool Owners at the SMDC Gladstone Road Freight Terminal, the prime minister said the goal of providing grants to expand privately-owned preschools is to make more seats available for preschoolers, and to enable the government to meet its targets to achieve universal preschool education.

I am very happy to be here today for this grant ceremony that will help to advance our vision of universal preschool education, said Minnis.

We are focused on assisting with the development of the physical infrastructure to facilitate universal preschool. Toward this end, one million dollars will be made available for preschools directors.

He added, Let me congratulate and encourage those who are receiving these grants. I wish you well in your endeavors to help in the nurturing and growth of our preschoolers.

Minnis said the funds will facilitate the opening new preschools, the expansion of existing facilities or the improvement of standards at an existing preschool facility; and also said the emphasis is on neighborhoods where there are fast-growing populations and where the need is great for preschool seats.

Around 3,300 vouchers valued at approximately $6.6 million have been distributed to over 100 privately-owned preschools for the three academic years of 2018/2019 to 2020/2021, according to Minnis.

He also said that since 2018, approximately 1,825 new preschool seats were made available in a program over the two academic years of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, and that the Ministry of Education is currently still enrolling preschoolers for the 2020 academic year, notwithstanding the present challenges of COVID-19.

The Family Islands are part of The Bahamas, too

Minnis also reaffirmed the governments commitment that any educator with preschool knowledge who is qualified and wants to open a preschool on a Family Island will be given the same benefits as those on New Providence.

I want to remind the Family Islands that they are a part of The Bahamas and they, too, should be given the same benefits and the same advantages as here in New Providence, he said.

We have made a commitment to the Family Islands so that their preschoolers will also able to take advantage of this educational grant and that preschool education is provided.

Minnis said the government will provide free of charge the land for any preschool being constructed on a Family Island, and that the government will remove all forms of duty and provide all of the concessions to ensure the school is built so that Family Islanders may take advantage.

He said the government will ensure that the SBDC will have sufficient funds to provide the grants to those individuals so that they can get started.

The prime minister also briefly noted four other major objectives to improve learning outcomes for children and young people living in The Bahamas, including strengthening literacy by improving student learning outcomes in English at the third-grade level.

We are increasing the high school graduation rate by improving student learning outcomes for the Bahamas high school criteria, said Minnis.

According to the prime minister, the government began a digital transformation program for the government-operated school system by upgrading the internet infrastructure and Wi-Fi connectivity in all schools and by providing digital devices for students and teachers.

He stated that the government also launched a school modernization program through the construction, renovation and expansion of existing schools to accommodate additional classrooms.

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PM affirms govt commitment to preschools, says Family Island preschools will receive same benefits as NP - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) yesterday confirmed that it is on track to spud its exploratory well within six weeks, with the company indicating that it plans to complete all well activities prior to mid-April 2021.

The company in an update to investors yesterday noted that Perseverance #1 is on track to spud before the end of 2020 and that drilling of this potential basin-opening well anticipated to take between 45 and 60 days, with tight-hole procedures in place. The company also indicated that it is targeting recoverable prospective resources of 0.7 billion barrels of oil, with an upside of 1.44 billion barrels.

Stena Drillings Stena ICEMax drillship is preparing to set sail soon to The Bahamas to spud the well. The company said yesterday that the drillship had completed all necessary vessel and equipment inspections, and is scheduled to leave the dock in the Canary Islands before the end of this month.

The company also indicated that it has received formal notification from the government of The Bahamas of a further extension of the second exploration period of BPCs licenses, from mid-April 2021 to the end of June 2021, reflective of the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 force majeure.

Simon Potter, BPC CEO, said, Many shareholders have been extremely patient and have stayed the distance, as has the majority of the management team, and we are now in the position to deliver the Perseverance #1 exploration well in compliance with our long-held exploration licenses in The Bahamas. Perseverance #1 is a potentially basin-opening well, with the kind of scale and associated value uplift exposure rarely offered outside of oil majors.

At the same time, our activities, in the event of success, have the capacity to be economically transformative for the nation of The Bahamas, and could ultimately contribute billions of dollars in royalty revenues to the national treasury, at a time when the dual impact of recent hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard-felt by most Bahamians.

Potter added, Many other nations in the region such as USA, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana have over the past decade safely and responsibly drilled offshore wells, developed or continue to develop offshore hydrocarbon resources and reaped the economic benefits of an established or a whole new industry. Moreover, these other nations have been able to do so at the same time as seeing growth and development of existing industry sectors, such as tourism. BPC is fully committed to ensuring safe and responsible operations, and has assembled an experienced team of drilling personnel, supported by many of the worlds largest and most respected oil services contractors, with a collective track record of drilling many thousands of wells safely, all around the globe. We are especially pleased that one of the most modern, technically capable drilling vessels in the world will soon leave port ahead of drilling. In support of this, logistics plans to mobilize both equipment and personnel safely to site have been finalized, funding is in place and we have completed a huge body of work to ensure that best practices have been applied as our health and environmental safety plans and protocols have been developed, contracted and approved.

As the oil explorer pushes towards drilling its exploratory well, its efforts have been met with fierce opposition from environmentalists. The company steadfastly maintained that its environmental submissions are fully compliant with Bahamian law as well as international standards and best practices

The company yesterday noted that in accordance with Bahamian law and the terms of its licences, it was required to prepare and submit a comprehensive Environmental Authorization to the government of The Bahamas, inclusive of a detailed environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan.

This was reviewed for the government of The Bahamas by independent third-party industry experts, and certified to be in compliance with not only all applicable Bahamian laws and regulations, but consistent with all applicable international standards, guidelines, regulations and global best practice. Following that review, BPCs proposed drilling program for Perseverance #1 was approved by the government of The Bahamas, and Environmental Authorization was granted. The approvals obtained relate specifically to the drilling of Perseverance #1, such that in the event of success, drilling of any subsequent wells in The Bahamas will be subject to a separate and equally exhaustive approvals process, BPCs statement read.

It, The drilling program for Perseverance #1 is expected to take between 45 and 60 days, and will be undertaken on a tight-hole basis an industry protocol (and one required by the government of The Bahamas) whereby real-time well information and drilling results will generally be kept confidential until the conclusion of drilling and testing procedures, and until any appropriate notifications to government representatives have been made. The well has been designed specifically as an exploration well, with the sole objective of establishing the presence of hydrocarbons through a range of tests that will be conducted as the well is drilled. Perseverance #1 has not been designed to ever operate as a production well, such that at the conclusion of the drilling program the well will be permanently sealed and then abandoned.

BPC also noted that it is currently working with the government of The Bahamas appointed third-party expert adviser, international environmental consultants Black & Veatch, on a number of technical items relating to the Perseverance #1 drilling program.

As agreed with the government of The Bahamas, one or more Black & Veatch experts will be stationed onboard the Stena IceMAX during drilling operations, and will oversee the entire drilling program, with a specific mandate from the government of The Bahamas to observe and report on specific tasks, activities and operations, including observing the baseline seafloor survey and testing of drilling fluids to ensure compliance with mandated safety requirements, oversight of environmental compliance activities during drilling activities and thereafter during decommissioning and abandonment activities and monitoring drilling practices, procedures and activities, to assure compliance with the program environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management plan (EMP), the statement read.

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BPC on track to spud exploratory well in six weeks - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Former employees of Sky Bahamas claim that they are collectively owed $740,000 in back pay, vacation entitlement and severance.

The former employees of the beleaguered airline said in a statement yesterday that an arbitration hearing on the matter is set for today before the Industrial Tribunal at their request.

The dispute has reportedly been filed by 40 of the airlines 48 former employees, 13 of whom were managers.

The former employees claim that salary payment issues stem as far back as May 2019, two months before the local carrier ceased operations.

Sky Bahamas was grounded last July after being denied an air operators certificate by the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority. The air operator certificate is required to carry fee-paying passengers. The airline was subsequently evicted from its head office a month later. At the time, Sky Bahamas Principal Captain Randy Butler told Eyewitness Newsthe airlines losses were over $24 million.

We were totally abandoned by the company, said one former staff member. We have all suffered a very difficult time during the pandemic. Many are still struggling with unemployment while Sky Bahamas continues to refuse to pay us what they owe.

Several of the employees who were stationed in Abaco and Grand Bahama lost everything in Hurricane Dorian. Seven of them lost their homes or were displaced and are still struggling to find food and shelter for their children.

Attempts to reach Butler were unsuccessful yesterday; however, the former staff members say they are interested in the outcome of the recent action brought against him.

In a Supreme Court writ, Butler is accused of conspiring with Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest in a bogus loan scheme which defrauded two companies controlled by Canadian businessman Fred Kaiser of some $30 million.

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Former Sky Bahamas employees claim they are owed $740000 in back pay - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Professional Golf Association (BPGA) highlighted the contributions of Albany Bahamas and Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club to the continued development of golf professionals in The Bahamas.

Two pros who received their support were Keno Turnquest and Raquel Riley, according to a statement.

The BPGA said Albany was instrumental in assisting Keno Turnquest in obtaining a British PGA, Class AA Certification from the University of Birmingham while he worked at Albany.

He is currently the first assistant golf pro at Albany Bahamas.

In 2004, Turnquest started as an assistant golf professional at The Abaco Club under the tutelage of Tom Mackenzie.

He turned pro a year later and during the next six years, he won multiple times in the BPGA championships and was part of the world cup qualifiers for The Bahamas.

In 2010, Turnquest joined Albany Bahamas as a services manager and was promoted to assistant pro two years later.

Turnquest said: Obtaining my Class AA Certification was strenuous because of the written exams and having to play in eight events a year to maintain a certain golf average. Class AA is for certified golf professionals who are serious about working in the industry.

Besides the game, it has a lot of elements like business management, golf equipment repairs, marketing, health focus physiology and biomechanics, finance and purchasing.

Turnquest added: Albany is interested in the betterment of the tourism industry and Bahamians, and they want to create an internationally renowned product. I appreciate the support that I have received from Christopher Anand and Damien Mitchelmore for helping to further my education and career.

Raquel Riley started her career at Bakers Bay in 2012. While caddying for the Buccaneer Tournament, her proficiency caught the attention of Golf Director Peter Whalen, who is currently the general manager.

According to the statement, Whalen hired her as the first female golf pro at Bakers Bay to fill the role of assistant golf professional.

Bakers Bay further invested in Rileys LPGA Club Professional Training.

At a young age, Riley started golf under the tutelage of Vernon Lockhart. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Management at Hampton University, where she played for four years, earning MVP in her junior and senior years.

She has also worked for the PGA Tour Championship in Houston, Texas, and it was during that year that she earned experience in all aspects of tournament operations. For a few years, Riley played pro golf on the Futures Tour traveling around the United States, and captured her first victory in 2008 at the Magnolia Ladies Championship on the Sun Coast Ladies Tour in Florida.

Riley remained in South Florida teaching and playing until returning home in 2010, where she ran a junior golf program at the Ruby Golf Course in Freeport and caddied until moving to Abaco.

I love golf, she said in the statement.

I grew up looking up to the Maycock brothers, Chris Lewis and the late Percy Major, all of whom inspired me to take my game and golf knowledge to the next level.Professional golf is my life. I feel that my role is to help future golfers start with the right fundamentals of the game and learn golf the right way.

Riley joined the BPGA in July and has stepped in to take on the role of secretary.

Chris Lewis, president of the BPGA, thanked Albany and Bakers Bay for their corporate sponsorships.

Although COVID-19 has restricted us, we continued our work, said Lewis.

Raquel is the first female executive committee member of the BPGA, and we are truly pleased to have her representation which will bring good diversity and perspective.

For more information about the BPGA, interested parties may contact Chris Lewis at 242-727-1690 or by email at clewisgolfpro@hotmail.com.

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Bahamas Professional Golf Association recognizes contributions of Albany Bahamas and Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club - EyeWitness News