Category Archives: Bahamas

Carnival Cruise Line has made the decision to cancel the September 30, 2022 sailing of Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral, due to the continuing impact of Hurricane Ian and the ports closure. Guests had already been alerted to the possibility of delays with the cruise, but the cancelation is now confirmed.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald announced at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday morning that the September 30 sailing of Carnival Liberty is now canceled.

Port Canaveral is closed and not expected to open by Friday. Unfortunately, we will be unable to operate this 3 day sailing, Heald said.

The canceled cruise was to have been a 3-night Bahamas sailing, calling on Bimini and giving guests a relaxing day at sea before returning to Port Canaveral on October 3.

Port Canaveral is currently at Condition Zulu, closed to all marine traffic, and there is no firm timeline for when the port may reopen after the storm passes. The port area will be inspected to ensure all facilities are operational and the marine channels are clear before the port can safely reopen.

Guests on the now-canceled cruise will receive a full refund processed back to their original form of payment, as well as a 25% future cruise credit (FCC) based on the fare paid. Emails have been sent to booked guests with further details.

Carnival Liberty is currently on a 4-night Bahamas sailing, having departed from Port Canaveral on Monday, September 26.

The ship was originally scheduled to call on Nassau on Tuesday and Princess Cays, Carnival Cruise Lines private destination in The Bahamas, on Wednesday.

Due to the poor weather, however, the ships itinerary has been adjusted. The call on Nassau proceeded as planned, but the call on Princess Cays was unfortunately canceled.

Carnival Liberty will tentatively call on Freeport, The Bahamas on Thursday, September 29, but that will depend on local weather at the time.

At the end of the week, the Conquest-class vessel will seek to return to Port Canaveral, though the exact timing and route of the ships return will depend on the progress and track of Hurricane Ian.

After departure [from Freeport], it will resume its course to Port Canaveral and remain safely behind the storm, Heald said. This allows us the best opportunity to dock once the port reopens which we hope will be Saturday.

Should the storm slow or shift further east than predicted, it is possible the ship may not be able to safely return to Port Canaveral until even later. Canceling the next cruise, however, gives the ship plenty of scheduling flexibility for returning to her homeport.

Carnival has already had to cancel two other upcoming sailings due to Hurricane Ian. Carnival Paradise (from Tampa) and Carnival Elation (from Jacksonville) have had their September 29 sailings canceled.

The cancelation of Carnival Libertys September 30 departure is the third cruise canceled by the line for this storm, but it may not be the last.

While the next cruises for Carnivals flagship Mardi Gras and the Conquest-class Carnival Freedom, both scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on Saturday, October 1, are currently expected to sail on time, it is possible they may be delayed or canceled if the storm impacts Port Canaveral worse than expected.

Guests booked on those upcoming sailings should stay in close contact with Carnival Cruise Line or their travel agent for alerts and updates on their cruise vacations.

As of the latest National Hurricane Center update at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Hurricane Ian is reported as a very strong Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), just 2 miles per hour below the threshold for a Category 5 storm.

The storm is located 45 miles (72 kilometers) west-northwest of Naples, Florida, moving north-northeast at 9 miles per hour (15 kph), and is expected to make landfall later this afternoon as it begins to move across the Florida peninsula.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for continuing updates on the storms impact on the cruise industry, including cancelations, itinerary changes, port conditions, and more.

Read more:

Another Carnival Cruise Canceled Due to Hurricane Ian - Cruise Hive

The Miami HEAT have just about wrapped up their training camp in The Bahamas and are headed home with a Red, White and Pink game ahead of them followed closely by the start of preseason. Heres what weve been noting and noticing.

THE TOUGHEST JOB AT TRAINING CAMP

Did you watch Top Gun: Maverick?

If not, you should. Its great. Theres a scene where, paying homage to the volleyball from the original film, Tom Cruises character calls off training for the day and sets his team of pilots up on the beach to play what he calls Dogfight Football. Two balls. Offense and defense at the same time.

Chances are that you, like everyone else, thought to yourself after watching that scene and thought, So, how exactly does that work?

Watching HEAT training camp isnt all too dissimilar.

There may be no two words shouted more often on a given day at camp than, Hey, Dan. The Dan in question is video coordinator Dan Bisaccio, who holds the role of trying to keep score as the team runs through the many variations on its Hunger Games drill. Thats not hard, you might think. Thousands upon thousands of people around the world run a scoreboard without much of a problem.

But all those scoreboard operators are doing their job by the book. Bisaccio has to adhere to Spo Rules on any given day a layup might be worth one, two or three points, an offensive rebound might be negative two and teams are rewarded based on whether or not the ball ever touches the paint. The rules dont just change by the day, they might change by the minute.

A lot of it is me walking into the middle of a conversation and hearing, Oh, were doing four points for that? Hold on, I got to make sure I remember, Bisaccio says with a laugh. But you have to just go with it because youre going to have one of the coaches saying it was this, one of the players saying it was for sure not that and then one of the guys in the stands saying, Actually, it *was* that.

Sometimes I have to raise my hand and say I dont know what the call is . . . knowing full well, and Spo loves this, theyre going to yell at me regardless. Whether its right or wrong, you just laugh with them and go with it.

What we havent mentioned yet is that this isnt a regular scrimmage. There are 15 players in the drill. Three teams rotating in and out of play. Five-on-five-on-five. Now think for a moment about what a normal scoreboard looks like. Theres HOME and GUEST, or some variation. Those are the teams wearing white and black jerseys. The red team? Their points go in the FOULS box, but those boxes dont go into double digits, so Bisaccio has to combine the two FOULS boxes. Black might have 14. White might have 11. But Red has 10+2.

Unless one team has 99.

Everybody says, 99??? But no, its just minus one if youre at zero, Bisaccio says.

There is a method to the madness. Its not Calvinball. Each set of rules has a purpose. If Spoelstra is trying to emphasize efficiency, then three and layups are both worth three points while mid-range two-pointers are going to be worth one.

If you just tell them, Hey, be efficient but you dont change the scale or change the way you score it, theyre just going to do the same thing, says Bisaccio. But if all the sudden you give more points for the shots we want, like a layup or a three, all the sudden their best competitive edge comes out because they want all those points.

The players all just think its me making stuff up. But we all meet as a staff and talk about it.

Things dont always go perfectly. On a particularly defensive-oriented day at Training Camp, paint touches are the emphasis. Last year Miami was one of the best teams in the league at keeping the ball out of the paint despite regularly playing undersized, and on this day you score with stops. If you get a stop while keeping the ball out of the paint the entire time, thats three points. Otherwise, stops are only worth one. Problem is, half the team thought you scored by getting the ball into the paint on offense. Yelling ensues. Play continues. Bisaccio looks to assistant coaches Anthony Carter and Chris Quinn. Theyve been doing this for so long that can communicate non-verbally. One thumbs up from Bisaccio later, after a couple digits change on the board, and everything is back on track.

It always goes back to the fact that we want to put some points of emphasis out there so that the players know, regardless of how theyre competing, were working towards getting better for what we want to do in a game. Its not just about [winning the drill], Bisaccio said.

In the end, someone does win. The horn sounds. Winners get water. The losing teams head to the baseline to run. Everyone, even if just for half an hour, has had their brain rewired just enough to get across Spoelstras points for the day, all done in typical Spoelstra fashion through competition.

And Bisaccio gets to look forward to the regular days when only threes are threes and all twos count the same.

First-round picks are always fun for the fanbase. Theyre young. Theyre new. Theyre exciting. And Nikola Jovi, selected No. 27 out of Serbia last June, is no exception. Hes 6-foot-10. He can shoot. He can handle. Hes athletic. The skillset is all there, on paper, and he might be the most natural, modern power forward on a roster that is trying to fill the power forward spot.

He also just turned 19 years old a couple weeks before the draft, and hes trying to learn the HEATs many schemes and systems while getting to know a team that has been together for years. No easy task for a young player in any workplace, much less one where you have to prove yourself physically.

So if it seems odd that you might not have heard much about Jovi yet, its because this is just the beginning of his process.

He just needs to continue to embrace the routine, Spoelstra said when asked about the potential of Jovi earning minutes down the road this season. Thats all it is right now. Im not even evaluating him because he is being fed through a firehose. Everything hes trying to learn, all the workouts hes doing, the film study, the chalk talks. It can be overwhelming for a young player, particularly someone who hasnt played in this league.

You want to have some patience with the process. He is making progress. I can see it. His capacity for work is getting better. His ability to understand schematics is improving. Skillset is improving. Hes unique because of his size. Hes extremely versatile. He has a lot of good offensive skills that well be able to apply. Defensively hes learning our system. As you can imagine that is probably taking up a lot of his mental space, that stress of accountability to our defense.

It doesnt sound like we should expect Jovi to be in the rotation early on, but nobody should have been expecting that regardless. The talent is there. The opportunities will come.NEXT IN LINE?

It is extremely early to be talking about this. Earlier than early. But every year a player or two pops in training camp. Not in the way that theyre going to suddenly be playing 20 minutes a game in the way that you might just be hearing their name a little more often months down the road. Thats how things often start for Miamis future undrafted success stories. A few nice plays here and there. Steady hands. Solid days. Enough to make a coach see you.

When asked in The Bahamas who among the younger players had popped in his eyes, Spoelstra who missed the first day of camp to be at the birth of his daughter had one name in mind.

Dru Smith is significantly improved over the last 12 months, he said. Thats enjoyable to see. Hes a different player right now, hes mature, he feels more confident, he feels more poised in how to play in our program. And now youre starting to see how he can impact winning.

Spoelstra mentions 12 months because Smith was actually in camp last season. He even played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, though in a story somewhat similar to what Gabe Vincent went through the past two seasons Smith says he felt a step slower wearing a large knee brace. Now, with the brace off and a surgical procedure behind him, he finally feels healthy.

I think [Im] just getting more comfortable honestly, Smith said. Having been in it for a year, having a better feel for how things work. Not trying to do anything spectacular, just trying to play within myself. Just be a solid guy.

The way I played coming up through college is very similar to the way that they play. Defensive oriented, gritty, tough, nothing too flashy just get the job done. I dont think I have to change much about my game.

In just eight games with Sioux Falls, Smith, a 6-foot-3 guard, had quite a balanced line. In 32 minutes, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks, posting a true-shooting percentage of 57.1 on a 20 percent usage rate. As he puts it, hes a jack of all trades.

For now, we just have to wait. Wait for Mondays Red, White and Pink game. Wait for the preseason. Wait for minutes. You would expect Smith to be back with Sioux Falls this season with the roster as loaded as it currently is, but pay attention when you hear his name in the coming weeks. He caught Spoelstras eye. Maybe hell catch yours, too.

You never know, he could be the next man up.

There are so many guys on this roster, undrafted guys, guys that they developed, Smith said. Im very thankful to be in this spot with this organization because they have a track record of developing guys like that.

TIDBITS

-Duncan Robinson feels a bit like the forgotten man at the moment when it comes to the battle for a starting spot, but its worth reminding everyone that he has a couple of the best high-volume shooting seasons under his belt and from December 3 on was back to his regular 40 percent from three still taking some of the toughest threes in the league, as measured by Second Spectrums Shot Quality, because of how often he shoots off movement. This was an interesting quote from this week about how hes put that early season slump behind him:

[With my] mechanics theres some little things, especially when youre in those moments where the ball not feeling quite right and ways to deal with that. Now its easy to say this, but its a good thing having gone through it because it prepares you going forward.

-While the starting lineup is easily the biggest question mark with this team right now, none of the incumbent starters Lowry, Butler and Adebayo shared much of an opinion in any direction with regards to what players or even what skillsets might be the best fit. Expect Spoelstra to be in full experimentation mode for the next couple of weeks:

You have to take a look at different combinations just to see what they look like against competition, Spoelstra said. I like the fact that we have these different lineups we can get to, the big lineup, the speed lineup, the shooting lineup. Youll see a decent amount of those.

-When Coolio passed away on September 28, the HEAT ran their warmup laps with Gangstas Paradise blaring through speakers at practice the next morning.

-Victor Oladipos newest single, Symphony, was released on Friday. You can find it streaming on both Apple Music and Spotify.

Read more from the original source:

Coup's Notebook Vol. 26: The Toughest Job At Training Camp, Checking In On Nikola Jovi, The Next Developmental Project And Spoelstra In The Lab -...

By KATHRYN CAMPBELL

Bahamas Information Services

#ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas, September 27, 2022 A new bridge design that incorporates opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs was presented at a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, September 22, 2022 at St. Patricks Lodge Hall, Hatchet Bay.

During the livestreamed event the Minister of Works and Utilities, the Hon. Alfred Sears; the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs; island administrators, representatives of the Ministry of Works, Town Planning Board, the Bridge Authority, Local Government, Lambert Knowles and other consultants, and residents of Eleuthera discussed plans for the proposed replacement of the Glass Window Bridge (GWB) in North Eleuthera.

Minister Sears termed the meeting very successful consultation and attendance by local stakeholders and virtual participants.

He said Mr. Knowles has assembled a world-class team of bridge designers who have put together a design that will turn the GWB into a symbol of resilience, sustainability and also a place of entertainment and relaxation where Bahamian businesses can come and share in the wonderful goods of Eleuthera to the international travelling public as well as the residents in Eleuthera.

Were speaking now with Caribbean Development Bank with respect to funding; the design is now completed, there is also interest in PPPs. Within the next two months we should have a funding pathway and then of course we will move on the procurement. Once the funding is in place we will announce a date.

It is not only a look out point, we are approaching this project as an enterprise where the people who live in Eleuthera would have the same opportunities that the people in South would have as the Disney Project would have, but it would be more significant than Disney because this project would be owned by Bahamian people entrepreneurs, performers and culinary artists.

Eleuthera is one of the places in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas where development is taking place very rapidly. It is one of the most unique communities in our country; it is the fifth largest economy within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. We have some of the wealthiest industrialists with homes in Eleuthera; we also have booming Bahamian business resorts throughout Eleuthera.

The GWD represents a place where we can build opportunities for Bahamian businesses, Bahamian entrepreneurs to showcase the imagination of the Bahamian crafts persons, also to showcase the culinary skills as well as the extraordinary culinary dishes of Bahamian cuisine, he said.

Although spectacular Minister Sears said the current one-lane bridge is dangerous and unable to facilitate the transport of freight from the north to the south of the island because its carrying capacity is only 12 tonnes anything over 12 tonnes cannot be transported over the bridge.

He noted other challenges and informed that the bridge is not fulfilling the potential that it has for the development of Eleuthera.

Using a Power Point presentation, Mr. Knowles introduced the design team, technical aspects of the built design and various options considered for the new bridge.

He said the proposed bridge will be unique; a picture opportunity and a venue to host an event. It will have a park, security, rest rooms, parking, a location for food trucks to sell crafts and food; and topography with different elevation.

During the question and answer segment, Minister Sears said a decision has not yet been made regarding a bridge toll on the major undertaking.

It is a project which multilateral bodies and private sector investors have expressed an interest in participating in the funding. It is a project that once we have the community by-in the government is committed to building a world class production at this location. Construction is expected to take place on the proposed bridge from 2023-2026 at an estimated cost of $50-$60 million.

The GWB was built in 1990 and provides the only vehicular link between North and South Eleuthera.

(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)

Link:

Glass Window Bridge envisioned as a symbol of resilience and sustainability says Works and Utilities Minister - Magnetic Media

BUT president Belinda Wilson.

By LETRE SWEETING

lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BELINDA Wilson, who was recently re-elected president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, called on the Ministry of Education to ensure there are sufficient teachers in Family Islands, particularly in Abaco.

Several months after teachers, parents and students gathered outside the Patrick J Bethel High School in Abaco with picket signs protesting the lack of a sufficient number of teachers at a school of more than 500 students, there are still concerns with the shortage of teachers.

This also comes more than six months after Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin promised action during a PTA meeting in Abaco on February 2 and one month following her statements that officials are in the process of hiring teachers as they seek to address shortages in critical areas in core subjects.

Mrs Wilson said there must be improvement in recruitment and processing of new teachers going forward.

The Ministry of Education must ensure that there are sufficient teachers for the schools in the Family Islands. There must be improvement in recruitment and processing of new teachers going forward, she said.

There are teachers who are recent graduates who are still waiting to be hired and posted in a school. It is very important that teachers be posted in a timely manner because students are missing so many hours of instruction. Abaco should be a priority simply because of the negative impact of Hurricane Dorian coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs Wilson said.

Last week, Education Director Marcellus Taylor said officials are confident that they will be able to tackle the shortage of teachers in Abaco amid concerns over the issue.

He explained that currently the ministry has deployed 25 teachers to Abaco who are on the ground at Patrick J Bethel High School. However, Mr Taylor said the ministry intends to add substitute teachers where they can until they are able to complete the process of getting permanent teachers within the schools.

Last week, Mrs Wilson was re-elected to her post.

Mrs Wilson told The Tribune at the time that she intended to make this three-year term her last time occupying the office.

See the rest here:

BUT president: Ensure there are sufficient teachers in Family Islands - Bahamas Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

PITCH In for Youth Baseball, a non-profit organisation created to assist with the collection and distribution of baseball equipment throughout the Caribbean and South and Central America, made its inaugural visit to the Bahamas over the weekend.

During the trip, arranged through the Bahamas Baseball Association, Pitch In presented its first distribution of equipment to Mario Fords Community Baseball Programme at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The husband and wife team of Dr Amar and Meghana Rajadhyaksha, who formed the organisation to support of their son, Vinay, were in town to make the presentation. They indicated that they intend to come back in the future to continue to assist other local leagues in the Bahamas.

Shane Albury, the vice president of the BBA, said they welcome the gesture by Pitch In.

We are trying to promote the various leagues in the country and this is just the start of things to come, Albury said.

He said Fords camp was selected for the first donation because of the work hes been doing and the need for him to secure more equipment to assist with his programme, which is conducted every Saturday between the hours of 9:30am to noon at Windsor Park. Things like this will go a long way in helping to further improve the level of baseball in the country, Albury said.

As the initial benefactors of the donation, Ford said he appreciates the support from the BBA and Pitch In and he vowed to make the most of what they have received in assisting the many young boys and girls who pass through their programme that is ran for nine months of the year.

When we got the call from Shane Albury and the BBA, we were excited because these are some equipment that we could use for the betterment of the many young people who participate in our programme, Ford said.

We want to continue to keep these youngsters motivated as they move forward and so this donation will go a long way in assisting in that regard.

As a programme that caters mainly to youngsters out of the grassroot areas, Ford said most of the participants lack the proper equipment when they come out to participate. But the equipment will further motivate them to compete.

We started our final session on September 3 and it will run until October 9 at every Saturday, Ford said. The youngsters come out every Saturday and they get a chance to develop their skills in training sessions and they also display those skills in game situations. He noted that the players are all enthused about the programme and hes seen a vast improvement in a lot of them. We feel that by them coming out on Saturdays, when they start to play baseball in the high schools, they will be better able to perform, he said.

There are a lot of activities going on, so we try not to overcrowd them, but just provide an avenue for them to train on a weekly basis.

Albury said Pitch In intends to come back every few months and provide equipment to other leagues just as they do in other areas, including Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic since 2020. The Bahamas is the first island touched in the Caribbean.

Pitch In was formed by Rajadhyaksha, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Miami who played baseball all of his life and is a big fan of the Boston Red Sox.

However, when his 11-year-old son Vinay got involved in the sport, he noticed his keen interest in helping other young players his age. Vinay, who pitches and plays at first base, started collecting new and gently used baseball equipment and also to raise funds for uniforms for leagues in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the Bahamas, he hopes to extend his philanthropy to Cuba, Honduras, Colombia and Venezuela.

More here:

Pitch In For Youth Baseball makes inaugural visit to The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is using training camp in the Bahamas to prepare for this season.

He's also using it to trash talk the locals. When asked about his plans while away from the basketball court, Butler did not hold back.

"Dominos," Butler said. "I came over here to whoop ass and I'm not playing. All my Bohemian people, I'm here to whoop ass. I will be on the streets tonight playing Dominos. Y'all look for me because I'm here."

The Heat opened camp Tuesday.

ADEBAYO PUT TRUST IN SPOELSTRA

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has heard all the possibilities.

Some are saying he should is fine at center while others think he is more suited for power forward. Adebayo is indifferent on the subject and said he will it up to coach Erik Spoelstra.

Many say the Heat will struggle at power forward after the departure of P.J. Tucker, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason. The Heat held their first day of training camp Tuesday in the Bahamas.

""I still have the leeway to be myself and be who I am," said Adebayo after being asked about playing different positions. "I feel like all guys who substitute for P.J. are qualified for it. We make things work around here, even if people think it doesn't. We somehow make it work. I'll leave that up to Spo. He's done a great job of putting guys in position to win."

Last year the Heat were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Adebayo said the team has put their trust in Spoelstra to make the right decisions.

Scroll to Continue

"I feel like the five out there is going to make it work," Adebayo said. "We're going to figure it out. It's coach's job to help us adjust."

MORE HEAT-RELATED STORIES

Heat complete roster with Dru Smith signing. CLICK HERE

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Heat to hold training camp in the Bahamas. CLICK HERE

For a look at some of the latest Heat apparel. CLICK HERE

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Shandel Richardson is the Miami Heat writer for Inside The Heat. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA.

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Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Issues Dominos Challenge To Anyone In The Bahamas During Training Camp - Sports Illustrated

Ian could be a classic example of the fact that a hurricane's category doesn't tell you everything about all of its potential impacts.

Ian should become a strong hurricane in the western Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico. But you may have noticed from the forecast path graphic that Ian's winds are then expected to diminish as it nears the Gulf Coast.

Given that, will Ian be that big of a deal once it reaches the Gulf Coast?

Yes, and there are important reasons why Ian will be dangerous regardless of what category it is at landfall.

Projected Path And Latest Storm Information

You're probably at least somewhat familiar with the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and its ubiquitous "Category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5" descriptors.

This scale was developed in the 1970s and is strictly based on a storm's maximum sustained winds.

That's important for the wind damage potential of a hurricane, but no single parameter can encapsulate all the threats of a storm.

Here are two other important factors that will also play a big role in Ian's final impact on the U.S..

A hurricane's category doesn't tell you how big it is, or in other words, how large its wind circulation extends. That's important to determine the magnitude and extent of its impacts.

Ian's size will also increase by the time it's in the Gulf of Mexico. This typically happens in hurricanes and tropical storms as they move farther north.

And here's the key: Ian will maintain a large circulation even if it loses some wind intensity before landfall.

A larger storm blowing over a greater area of the ocean over the longest time will generate the highest storm surge if all other factors are equal.

That means Ian's storm surge will likely be dangerous, regardless of how strong its winds are at landfall, or what category of a hurricane it is.

Recent history has provided several examples.

Winds in 2008's Hurricane Ike were Category 2 at landfall along the upper Texas coast after dropping from Category 4 levels north of the Caribbean Sea.

However, its giant size in the Gulf of Mexico generated a 15 to 20 foot storm surge that wiped out most structures on Texas' Bolivar Peninsula.

A home is left standing among debris from Hurricane Ike Sept. 14, 2008, in Gilchrist, Texas.

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 weakened to a Category 3 at landfall, but its giant size in the Gulf of Mexico generated a record U.S. storm surge of 28 feet along the Mississippi coast.

Sandy in 2012 had tropical-storm-force winds 1,000 miles wide the largest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record since at least 1988 before it produced a record storm surge along parts of the New Jersey, New York and Connecticut coasts.

Hurricane Sandy's tropical-storm-force (light orange) and hurricane-force (brown) wind fields at 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 28, 2012.

So how can you tell if the size of a current tropical storm or hurricane is large?

Meteorologists including those at the NHC will often note in a forecast whether a storm is large or small. In cases like that, you'll often see graphics of the wind field, such as for Hurricane Irma in 2017 below.

Put simply, the larger the circles in graphics like that below, the larger the storm.

Example of a hurricane wind field graphic, from Hurricane Irma in 2017.

If a large hurricane or tropical storm is headed for landfall, expect its storm surge to be higher and, in general, its impacts to be more widespread.

A storm's forward speed also matters.

You can find out how fast the storm is moving in our graphics, such as in the example below from Hurricane Isaias in 2020. This storm motion is updated with each advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A storm's forward speed depends on the large-scale winds surrounding it that act as its steering wheel.

In Ian's case, we expect it to slow down somewhat around the time of its landfall.

If a hurricane is out to sea and moving slower, there's more preparation time for areas potentially threatened by the storm.

But when a storm slows down near or over land, its impacts are not only prolonged, but also greatly amplified.

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian exploded into a Category 5 hurricane as it approached the northwestern Bahamas. Then the winds pushing the hurricane forward collapsed.

Dorian's eyewall lashed the northwestern Bahamas for an unfathomable 52 straight hours while at Category 4 or 5 intensity.

The intense winds drove a storm surge of up to 28 feet on Grand Bahama Island, according to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology (BDOM). At least 74 residents were killed in the Bahamas, with damage estimated at $3.4 billion, according to the BDOM.

Then there's a storm's rainfall.

How much rain a storm produces has little or nothing to do with the storm's wind intensity, but rather how fast it moves.

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas at Category 4 intensity, then took an agonizingly slow meander near the Texas coast for four days.

Up to 60 inches of rain fell along the upper Texas coast, triggering catastrophic flooding. Harvey remains the nation's second-costliest hurricane or tropical storm ($143.8 billion in 2022 dollars) behind only Katrina.

Besides checking for the storm's current forward speed in a graphic, the forecast path graphic could also hint at a stalling storm ahead.

When it no longer resembles a cone, but rather takes on the appearance of a circle, or there's little separation of forecast points, it suggests the storm is expected to slow down or stall. You should expect prolonged impacts from heavy rain, storm surge and winds, as the last two examples illustrated.

The forecast "cone," or sphere, of the center of Hurricane Harvey from the National Hurricane Center issued Aug. 24, 2017. Harvey's forecast stall caused the typical "cone" shape of this path to resemble a circle.

A hurricane is much more than its "category" or even the forecast path of its center.

Other key factors, including how large it is and how fast it moves will determine the ultimate impact from Ian, and storms in the future.

The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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Hurricane Ian A Gulf Coast Danger, Regardless Of Its 'Category' Strength - The Weather Channel

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Many Bahamians seem to believe that I, Ortland H. Bodie Jr., am or maybe an unconstructed and unapologetic member and supporter of the iconic Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). I suspect that some of them may be correct. That, even if it were so, would never influence my financial or political acumen and judgment. I call a spade a spade and fear only The Lord Jesus Christ and in a good way.

It has now been one year since the Davis administration was ushered in with him as Prime Minister. Within the first year of his government, all Bahamians, except the dishonest and visually impaired, are able to see on the ground significant achievements. The country has reopened for business after the administration, generally, but through the hard and innovative health and medical conditions led by my good friend, the Hon. Michael Darville (PLP-Tall Pines), Minister of Health & Wellness along with his professional teams in the industry.

Covid still lingers, but we seem to have a grip on it where related numbers of deaths from the same have decreased tremendously and for that we thank God. The economy is roaring, again, after being as quiet as Kitty for more than two dreary and long years of the mercifully dismissed Minnis regime. Bahamians who really want to work or start or expand a business are able to do so, again. Yes, I concur that access to non consumer loans for business purposes is vexing and a severe retard to the continued growth of the economy.

Some good news, however, is now being offered by any number of domestic and internationally based fund raising entities who are registered and regulated by the relevant governmental ministries and commissions. Bahamians with a well prepared business plan and some measure of self generated capital, are now able to crowd fund and buy mutual funds and other financial assets.

Tourism is humming along nicely. It has been reported that most of the larger hotel properties here in New Providence and the bulk of Family Island resorts/lodges have been booked out straight into 2023 if The Lord continues to tarry. Sandals, God bless that corporate citizen extraordinare, also, has just announced a multi- million dollar proposed expansion right here in The Bahamas. Several other developments, driven by DFI, throughout this beautiful and wonderful nation of ours, are coming on stream.

Progressive legislation, and quite a few others which I do not support, are now being drafted and moved to Bill form for submission to the legislative process. The questions of citizenship will require mature and sober thought based on multiple principles be they scriptural; economic; cultural; constitutional or moral, must be determined by registered voters in a National Referendum. Both a change of a monarchy to a republic and questions of citizenship must be placed before the electorate. To do otherwise would decimate the trust that the people of The Bahamas has reposed in the Davis administration.

Yes, we are back, big time, as a nation. The honeymoon is not yet over but the heavy lifting is about to begin. The PM has now paid his respects to the late Queen he must now bring about the liberalization of Crown Land and the unshackeling of commonage land. In opposition, the now PM was the most vocal MP supporting both measures. Now that he is primus inter pares, Brave MUST do what is right. Some say expectations but I say why not?

We are back no Bahamians, even the most misguided ones, must be left behind or marginalized. Brave, our beloved and visionary PM is on a roll. If he plays his cards right, he could transform The Bahamas into an even more prominent position of the world stage. Never mind the braying of the rudderless FNM and its putative leader, the Davis administration would appear to be doing the right thing.

Both the marital rape bill and that for cannabis should be shelved for now. There are more pressing economical and societal issues that are debilitating the continued growth of The Bahamas. We are no longer, if we ever were, the fishing village envisioned by the late great and inscrutable Hon. Arthur A.D. Hanna, my beloved benefactor; friend and mentor.

Brother Hanna, may The Lord Jesus Christ, bless him also, was a true son of the soil. Midge, as he was fondly known, mentored and trained three Prime Ministers: the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, PC; the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie and the now current Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip 'Brave' Davis, QC,MP. My own first political appointment was at the hands of Midge as a member of The Boy's Industrial School, now the Simpson Penn Centre.

All in all, we as a nation are back and the good times are about to roll all over The Bahamas. The days of doom and gloom are over. A new refurbished international airport will be constructed in West End, Grand Bahama to service that gem of an island while we await the ill-fated Grand Bahama International Airport to emerge from the ravages of Dorian and others before. West End is the easiest site and most viable and economically feasible to get up and running in the shortest space of time.

A National Health Care System is just around the corner. Multiple industrial and labour agreements have been signed off. Civil servants are getting what they feel reasonable and the Davis administration is trying to work with them without busting the national budget or debt. An embryonic National Youth Service is also just around the corner. A new private hospital, a subsidiary of the world respected and renowned Doctors Hospital is about to commission a huge facility over in Freeport.

Thank you, Prime Minister Davis and your stellar team on a job well done in your first year in office. There is much more work to be done and some of your cabinet appointees may need to be shuffled but, until then, in all things be the glory.

ORTLAND BODIE, JR.

Nassau,

September 20, 2022.

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A job well done in first year in office - Bahamas Tribune

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Source: Unique Homes

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Home Of The Day: A Private Royal Island Located In Eleuthera, Bahamas - duPont REGISTRY News

By KATHRYN CAMPBELL

Bahamas Information Services

#ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas, September 27, 2022 A new bridge design that incorporates opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs was presented at a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, September 22, 2022 at St. Patricks Lodge Hall, Hatchet Bay.

During the livestreamed event the Minister of Works and Utilities, the Hon. Alfred Sears; the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs; island administrators, representatives of the Ministry of Works, Town Planning Board, the Bridge Authority, Local Government, Lambert Knowles and other consultants, and residents of Eleuthera discussed plans for the proposed replacement of the Glass Window Bridge (GWB) in North Eleuthera.

Minister Sears termed the meeting very successful consultation and attendance by local stakeholders and virtual participants.

He said Mr. Knowles has assembled a world-class team of bridge designers who have put together a design that will turn the GWB into a symbol of resilience, sustainability and also a place of entertainment and relaxation where Bahamian businesses can come and share in the wonderful goods of Eleuthera to the international travelling public as well as the residents in Eleuthera.

Were speaking now with Caribbean Development Bank with respect to funding; the design is now completed, there is also interest in PPPs. Within the next two months we should have a funding pathway and then of course we will move on the procurement. Once the funding is in place we will announce a date.

It is not only a look out point, we are approaching this project as an enterprise where the people who live in Eleuthera would have the same opportunities that the people in South would have as the Disney Project would have, but it would be more significant than Disney because this project would be owned by Bahamian people entrepreneurs, performers and culinary artists.

Eleuthera is one of the places in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas where development is taking place very rapidly. It is one of the most unique communities in our country; it is the fifth largest economy within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. We have some of the wealthiest industrialists with homes in Eleuthera; we also have booming Bahamian business resorts throughout Eleuthera.

The GWD represents a place where we can build opportunities for Bahamian businesses, Bahamian entrepreneurs to showcase the imagination of the Bahamian crafts persons, also to showcase the culinary skills as well as the extraordinary culinary dishes of Bahamian cuisine, he said.

Although spectacular Minister Sears said the current one-lane bridge is dangerous and unable to facilitate the transport of freight from the north to the south of the island because its carrying capacity is only 12 tonnes anything over 12 tonnes cannot be transported over the bridge.

He noted other challenges and informed that the bridge is not fulfilling the potential that it has for the development of Eleuthera.

Using a Power Point presentation, Mr. Knowles introduced the design team, technical aspects of the built design and various options considered for the new bridge.

He said the proposed bridge will be unique; a picture opportunity and a venue to host an event. It will have a park, security, rest rooms, parking, a location for food trucks to sell crafts and food; and topography with different elevation.

During the question and answer segment, Minister Sears said a decision has not yet been made regarding a bridge toll on the major undertaking.

It is a project which multilateral bodies and private sector investors have expressed an interest in participating in the funding. It is a project that once we have the community by-in the government is committed to building a world class production at this location. Construction is expected to take place on the proposed bridge from 2023-2026 at an estimated cost of $50-$60 million.

The GWB was built in 1990 and provides the only vehicular link between North and South Eleuthera.

(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)

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