Category Archives: Bahamas

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Last weeks report from the US State Department once again outlining the absolutely appalling conditions at the prison did nothing but vindicate and support the chain of letters this month by former inmates. How much more international embarrassment must The Bahamas sustain before our leaders get it right?

How is it that in 2021 both political and prison leaders are still trying to justify, rationalise, distract from and downplay the horrible conditions that some of our citizens are made to endure?

Millions are being spent on drones, CCTV, X-ray machines and plush offices at the prison.

At the same time, leadership has maintained overcrowded conditions with inmates living like sardines in a can, given bags to shit in, still being beaten, etc. How is this correctional?

Did Minister Dames and Commissioner Murphy ever stop and consider that criminals or not, these people are still our family, friends and most have not committed crimes that in anyway justify what they are made to endure.

We feel for our loved ones that are in and have gone through that institution because we can see the mental and emotional scars that have resulted from their stay.

Most countries in the world have realised that they need their men and it is far better to help them than to place them in conditions which will weaken and further destroy them.

There is either a complete disconnect or disregard and I urge my fellow Bahamians to stand up, speak up, let your voices be heard until our people receive better.

WILLIAM

Nassau,

April 5, 2021.

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Embarrassing state report on The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

LAKELAND, FLORIDA Florida-based TRYP Air Charter has announced that in addition to On Demand domestic flights, it is now offering international flights to Marsh Harbor, Abaco, and other Bahamian islands from Jacksonville, St Augustine, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Lakeland and the Tampa/St Pete Clearwater area.

Elliot Mintzer, president, commented: This option allows for travelers to reach the Bahamas in less than 90 minutes and direct.

With many US Customs locations available, this makes the travel experience even easier. We fly direct/nonstop to and from US airports without an additional stop to clear US customs.

He added: Leave after work and be in The Bahamas for dinner or the sunset.

The company noted that other benefits include no TSA security checkpoints, free parking, drinks/snacks and AirText on board.

It also serves the business traveler with DayTRYPn executive trips.

TRYP Air Charter will operate its Pilatus PC12 aircraft that can seat up to nine passengers and has executive BMW crafted leather club seating and travels at 300 MPH. It noted, however, that flights are limited so interested parties should check on availability.

For more information, visit the companys website at http://www.flytryp.com or contact them via email at info@flytryp.com or via telephone at 833-359-8797.

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TRYP Air Charter takes flight to the islands of The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

This week, Floridas two U.S. senators wrote U.S. Sec. of State Antony Blinken, calling on him to work with the Bahamas as it continues to explore drilling in its waters.

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote Blinken on the matter on Monday.

In February, the British-based Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) ceased exploratory drilling operations at its exploratory well, Perseverance, which sat just 150 miles from Florida. Thankfully, the exploration did not result in any notable environmental harm, and there have not been any reports of spilled oil from Perseverance. Although BPC has reportedly determined that this site is not viable for additional drilling, it is our understanding that additional leases in Bahamian waters, some just 50 miles from Floridas shores, are still valid through 2026, the senators wrote.

While there are no indications of imminent drilling at these other locations, Floridians are rightly concerned by the possibility of additional oil exploration so close to Floridas shores, the senators continued. Floridians are reminded of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, which caused billions of dollars in harm to the economies of the Gulf States, and took an enormous toll on our coastal ecosystems and fisheries. The area of southern Florida closest to Bahamian waters is home to the Florida Reef Tract, the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world. This fragile ecosystem is one of the most biodiverse in the United States and is integral to the culture and economy of the Florida Keys. Further north, from Miami to Jacksonville, millions of Floridians live along pristine beaches and the Biscayne Bay and Indian River Lagoon estuaries, which are irreplaceable economic engines on which their livelihoods depend. All precautions and preparations to protect these critical ecosystems must be taken.

As such, we urge you to engage with the Bahamian government to facilitate discussions between the United States Coast Guard, which is the primary American agency tasked with responding to maritime oil spills, and their Bahamian counterparts to ensure that our nations are prepared to respond jointly to any oil spill threats that may occur during any future exploratory oil drilling in sovereign Bahamian waters, they wrote in conclusion. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

This is not a new issue for the Florida delegation. Back in December, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., led a letter to Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Minnis and Bahamian Environment and Housing Minister Romauld Sotario Ferreira opposing the Bahamas Petroleum Companys (BPC) Perseverance No. 1 oil well, off the coast of The Bahamas.

The letter urges the government of the Bahamas to reconsider allowing the BPC drilling project to continue, given the immediate and long-term impacts an oil spill and carbon emissions have on natural ecosystems, local economies, and the global climate crisis, Hastings office noted.

Hastings rounded up more than 15 members of Congress to sign the letter including U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., Charlie Crist, D-Fla., Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Lois Frankel, D-Fla., Al Lawson, D-Fla., Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., Francis Rooney, R-Fla., Donna Shalala, D-Fla., Darren Soto, D-Fla., and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. Rooney retired last year while Mucarsel-Powell and Shalala lost reelection bids in November.

We write regarding the Bahamas Petroleum Companys (BPC) offshore drilling project, the Perseverance No. 1 oil well, off the coast of the Bahamas. We believe you should reconsider the agreement established between your government and BPC to protect the beauty and longevity of our fragile and shared ecosystems, the economies that depend on them, and the future of our planet, the House members wrote.

As coastal and near-coastal members of Congress, we have long fought to prevent oil spills, but the success of this work is directly dependent on the cooperation of other states, our federal government, and nearby nations. We and countless Americans remember the devastation and loss of life caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill, for which Florida continues to require restoration funding. That well, similar to that which BPC plans to bore, claimed 11 lives and spewed more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, destroying whole ecosystems and halting tourism and fisheries across the region. It has become clear that oil companies such as BPC have every intention to plow ahead despite red flags, which warn of the grave health, natural disaster, and environmental risks of drilling, they continued.

Should BPCs project move forward, we will be justified in fearing that the Atlantic coast is at risk of severe, even catastrophic, impact from any spills that might occur essentially undermining the recent offshore drilling ban extension from President Trump, and future offshore drilling restrictions. It is unclear whether BPC has the capacity to help mitigate a serious disaster, let alone prevent one in the first place. Should a calamitous event occur, the Bahamian government and BPCs clean-up efforts will undoubtedly require financial assistance from neighbors, including the United States, to address any spill that would spread throughout domestic and international waters. For perspective, Deepwater Horizon cost an estimated $65 billion to clean up and the effects have yet to be fully alleviated. Whats worse, the ship arriving on your shores to begin drilling has a track record of safety issues on previous jobs, including incidents in March 2016, September 2016, and October 2017, they continued.

Unfortunately, we believe the agreement reached between BPC and the Bahamian government is directly contrary to the urgent call made at the United Nations just last year. In that speech, Prime Minister, you cited the contribution carbon emissions have made to the climate crisis and the devastating impacts this crisis continues to have on island nations like the Bahamas, including those wrought by Hurricane Dorian, rising sea levels, and natural barrier degradation. These events are felt deeply by Americans and communities around the world, and expanding offshore drilling is fundamentally against their interests, they wrote in conclusion. We stand ready to work with your government to fight the climate crisis, a looming mass-extinction event, and oil and gas interests that seek only to profit off activities that truly put our respective communities at great risk. The health of our constituencies, oceans, and planet hinges on what actions we take here and now.

Last April, members of the Florida congressional delegation sent a letter to then U.S. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo and the charg daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau urging them to ask the Bahamian government to discontinue efforts to approve offshore drilling in Bahamian waters near the U.S. Atlantic Coast.

Wasserman Schultz helped lead the letter and her office weighed in as to why drilling in Bahamian waters could be a problem to Florida.

During the last few weeks, the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) has been working with the Bahamian government to obtain approval to conduct offshore drilling in Bahamian waters. Never before, has offshore drilling taken place in the world-renowned turquoise waters of The Bahamas. The first exploratory drilling site is only 150 miles from Floridas coast, and another licensed area is only 50 miles from the city of Miami. If there is a mistake or a spill, the coasts of states across the Eastern Seaboard could end up covered in oil slicks, Wasserman Schultzs office noted. Even more concerning, Hurricane Dorian ripped apart an oil storage facility and spilled oil across Grand Bahamas southeast coast. Offshore drilling is always risky. But building offshore facilities in a hurricane-prone region should be an alarming prospect for everyone.

The United States cannot afford another Deepwater Horizon disaster. This bipartisan group of members respects the sovereignty of the Bahamas, but a spill in Bahamian waters could bring ruin to both of our countries shorelines. Ten years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, we call on Secretary Pompeo to urge the Bahamian government to reconsider its efforts to green-light dirty offshore oil drilling in a region so full of magnificent ecosystems and so dependent on international tourism, the congressional members wrote.

Besides Wasserman Schultz, other members of the Florida delegation who signed the letter included Castor, Crist, Deutch, Frankel, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Hastings, Lawson, Rooney, Shalala and Soto.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.

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Florida's Senators Continue the Fight to Stop Drilling off the Bahamas - Florida Daily

The Giudice girls are growing up and they've got the sophisticated and fun style to prove it. Teresa and Joe Giudice's four daughters struck a pose to capture their recent Easter dinner looks while visiting their dad in the Bahamas, and there wasn't an oversized bow or princess dress in sight. Though the Giudice daughters know a thing or two about coordinating cute looks as a family, each member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey crew rocked a sweet ensemble that flaunted her own, unique sense of style.

"Happy Easter from our family to yours," Teresa lovingly wrote in her Instagram caption on April 4 with a snap of her gorgeous girls. For their family Easter get-together, the young ladies wore festive outfits with their personal flair. The eldest daughter, Gia, donned a breezy day dress in white with bright, pink floral embroidery and island-approved details. Gabriella kept things sleek and polished in a neutral-toned co-ord set that included fitted pants and a matching tank.

Milania looked every bit her mother's mini-me in a bodycon, white, short dress with a floral coverup and long, flowing brunette curls. Then, the youngest sibling, Audriana, finished out the foursome in a playful, white, lace short set with a cropped top.

The girls have been flaunting their fashion taste throughout their vacay in everything from a slew of swimsuits to looks that matched their father.

Want more The Real Housewives of New Jersey? New episodes air every Wednesday at 8/7c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

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Teresa Giudice's Daughters Glowed in Gorgeous Easter Outfits in the Bahamas - Yahoo Entertainment

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Travelers from Harbour Island and Eleuthera are facing stricter travel protocols as the Office of the Prime Minister announced last night that they will now have to take an RT-PCR test to travel to other islands in the country.

They are also required to take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day after their arrival, in line with current standard protocols for travelers arriving in-country from international destinations.

Prior to this latest update, the requirement only applied to people traveling from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco to other Family Islands.

A statement announcing the new requirement, which takes effect today, read: In accordance with the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (Risk Management) (No. 4) (Amendment) (No. 10) Order, 2021, persons traveling from Harbour Island and Eleuthera will now be required to undergo an RT-PCR COVID-19 test in order to obtain a travel health visa.

The requirement is effective Thursday, 1 April, 2021 and applies to persons older than 10 years of age traveling from Harbour Island and Eleuthera, to other parts of The Bahamas.

This does not apply to travel between mainland Eleuthera and its surrounding islands and cays.

Travelers from Eleuthera and Harbour Island will also now be required to take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the fifth day after arrival to their destination within The Bahamas and submit the results to the Ministry of Health online via the health travel website.

This latest update comes ahead of the Easter holiday weekend andon the heels of some Family Islanders urging the government to exercise more empathy with Family Islanders needing to travel to New Providence, as the additional cost of a full RT-PCR test was proving a heavy burden.

It also follows nine people, including a 17-year-old, being hauled before the courts this week for attempting to use falsified COVID test results to travel to the Family Islands from New Providence.

The Office of the Prime Minister noted, however, that inter-island testing requirements are expected to be eased with the acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, which just recently began.

To read the complete order, please visit http://www.opm.gov.bs.

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STRICTER MEASURES: Travelers from Harbour Island & Eleuthera to rest of Bahamas must have negative RT-PCR test - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Through the World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) COVAX Facility, The Bahamas received its first tranche of 33,600 COVID-19 vaccines yesterday.

This new arrival shores up the nations supplies since it received 20,000 doses as a donation from India three weeks ago.

The Bahamas has now received 53,600 vaccines, with more than 7,000 people in-country receiving their first dose of the vaccine since the vaccination program rolled out on March 14.

According to PAHO, COVAX seeks to provide vaccines for at least 20 percent of the population to each participating country during 2021.

In this first round of vaccine allocation, all COVAX participating countries will receive doses to vaccinate between 2.2 percent and 2.6 percent of their population.

Suriname received its first COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility last Friday, while Guyana received its first shipment of vaccines through the COVAX mechanism on Monday.

During the handing over ceremony at Jet Aviation Nassau yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis noted that vaccination will save lives.

He said: The life saved may be yours. As more people become vaccinated, we will be able to relax restrictions and see more of our family and friends. We will be able to open up our economy more and to get back to work.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative for The Bahamas Dr Eldonna Boisson called the arrival of the vaccine doses in The Bahamas a historic milestone the culmination of months of negotiations and a level of commitment to global solidarity.

According to Boisson, the remainder of doses 67,200 will arrive in The Bahamas in May.

She said that through COVAX, vaccine supply will steadily increase month-by-month, with approximately 280 million doses expected to arrive in Latin America and the Caribbean by the end of 2021.

Boisson said after six weeks of declining cases at the beginning of the year, infections have steadily risen since mid-February and deaths have also begun to reverse in trend.

There were more than 333,000 cases and 9,000 deaths in the Americas alone last weekend.

These are worrying trends as we continue to see the impact of variants opening up societies and inequitable vaccine rollout, Boisson said.

The Bahamas has yet to report a new COVID variant, but several variants of the virus have made their way to the Caribbean.

As of last Friday, 32 countries and territories in the Americas including The Bahamas neighbors Turks and Caicos, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the US had reported the presence of at least one of three variants of concern of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new epidemiological update.

We must continue to take the COVID-19 virus and pandemic seriously, Boisson said.

This is still a very active public health emergency.

According to Boisson, PAHO has assisted The Bahamas in the development of its national vaccination program to ensure the population is inoculated in a sustainable and safe manner.

She said the organization continues to offer technical cooperation for vaccine procurement, delivery and deployment, as well as distribution guidance documents and training.

But Boisson pointed out that vaccine supplies remain limited and it will be several months before countries can rely on vaccines alone to control the virus.

Although the scale-up of vaccine production has begun, the PAHO representative underscored that it is not enough and we do not yet have the vaccines we need to protect everyone.

She said: Its what happens when the whole world must rely on too few manufacturers.

Our goal at this time must be to save as many lives as possible by prioritizing early doses for those who are at the highest risk of infection, hospitalization and death. We must also protect our health workers and reduce the strain on our health system.

According to reports, India, the worlds biggest maker of vaccines, has reported 12 million COVID-19 cases, the most after the United States and Brazil. So far, it has exported 64 million vaccine doses, more than the 60.4 million inoculations conducted at home. The Indian government is under pressure to step up its domestic vaccine programme.

Originally posted here:

REINFORCEMENTS: COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX Facility touchdown in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is prepared to put forth additional candidates should the Constituencies Commission make changes to the existing boundaries, said PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday.

Last week, House Speaker Halson Moultrie, who chairs the commission, advised it is considering recommending additional constituencies to ensure voter parity.

Davis insisted that, based on the views of the commission, it is currently impossible to have parity with the current boundaries.

Following the opening of Senator JoBeth Coleby-Davis Elizabeth constituency office, he told reporters: My thoughts are that the constitution requires that the commission ensure that there is parity in the numbers in these constituencies.

Looking at the present numbers, theres a necessity to at least visit those two constituencies in the west, particularly Golden Isles and Killarney.

Davis contended, however, that the final say is always with the prime minister.

Asked whether the PLP will support the addition of new constituencies, he said: There doesnt necessarily have to be more constituencies; it just has to ensure that the lines are drawn to ensure parity.

I think that is impossible by the present numbers.

As of last week, the voters register stood at 188,762 voters, with 130,512 voters registered on New Providence, 30,260 on Grand Bahama and 27,990 on the Family Islands.

Moultrie told Eyewitness News that the commission is considering adding four more constituencies three on New Providence and one on Grand Bahama.

He explained that compared to other constituencies with fewer voters,Golden Isles and Killarney voter registration is approaching 7,000 voters.

In the last general election, there were 5,700 voters in Killarney and 6,004 voters in Golden Isles, compared to 3,285 voters in St Barnabas and 3,590 in Bains and Grants Town.

Moultrie has said the commission is split on the matter and intends to prepare an interim report on the view.

He noted, however, that if the prime minister calls an early election which has been speculated in political circles the commission will not have time to draw new boundaries.

He has also underscored the need for the commission to be independent of any political influence, to avoidthe appearance of gerrymandering.

The Constituencies Commission is responsible for reviewing the boundaries of constituencies throughout The Bahamas.

Article 70(1) of the Constitution of The Bahamas states that the commission shall in accordance with the provisions of this article, at intervals of not more than five years, review the number and boundaries of the constituencies into which The Bahamas is divided and shall submit to the governor general a single report either (a) stating that in the opinion of the commission, no change is required, or (b) recommending certain changes, and the governor general shall cause such report to be laid before the House of Assembly forthwith.

The last commission, chaired by former House Speaker Dr Kendal Major, renamed the Montagu constituency to Free Town and added the St Barnabas constituency, making major changes to the boundaries.

There have been continuous calls for the creation of an independent boundaries commission.

In the Speech from the Throne, the government promised to constitute an Independent Electoral Commission and Boundaries Commission, introduce term limits for prime ministers and introduce a system of recall for non-performing members of Parliament by referendum.

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BY THE NUMBERS: PLP says it's impossible to have parity with current boundaries - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government should fairly consider its restrictions on certain public events, given that political parties are allowed to canvas communities, suggested Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Bishop Delton Fernander.

With the upcoming elections quickly approaching, supporters and candidates of major political parties have been hitting the pavement, campaigning in various communities in large numbers.

Despite recent criticism and concerns on its impact on rising coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has defended the actions, indicating that political parties have been following COVID-19 protocols.

However, Fernander has hit out at those assertions, insisting that the government is setting a precedent.

We must realize what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, he told reporters in a recent interview.

I wish there would be consideration knowing that in this time that all of us want to persevere our health, we want to do the best we can and we must be fair all across the board, that if we see one thing happening on the streets we should also be allowed in other areas to do the same, or if were retarded in one area, then its retarded in all of the areas.

So, just fairness of play is what the church is looking for and I think the country is looking for.

New Providence, Exuma and Eleuthera are currently on 10pm to 5am curfew.

Grand Bahama is on an 11pm to 5am curfew, while mainland Abaco is on an 8pm to 5am curfew.

On those islands, weddings in a religious facility can be held provided that the number of attendees is limited to one-third the capacity of the religious facility and protocols are adhered to.

Meanwhile, funerals at the graveside can only be held with no more than 40 people, exclusive of the officiant and mortuary workers.

Additionally, wedding receptions and funeral repasts are not allowed.

Speaker of the House of Assembly and Nassau Village MP Halson Moultrie recently called the political campaigning reckless and said it endangers constituents and campaign workers.

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PLAY FAIR: BCC says campaigning and public events should be treated equally - EyeWitness News

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE nation recorded 92 new COVID-19 infections over the holiday weekend bringing the total number of cases to 9,263.

Yesterday, the countrys top infectious disease expert said health officials are still very much concerned that the Bahamas could be on the brink of a third COVID-19 wave.

Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health, told The Tribune it would be very concerning if the country continues on this trend as it could lead to the health system being above capacity.

If we continue on this trend then certainly we would be very concerned, she said.

We know globally that there are many countries that are undergoing third or fourth waves and third waves are often larger than second waves, so its very important that we follow the public health instructions so that we can mitigate an increase in cases, the health system being over capacity and COVID-19 deaths increasing.

On Thursday, April 1, health officials reported 28 newly confirmed COVID cases with 12 coming out of New Providence, eight originating from Grand Bahama, six arising out of Eleuthera and one being reported from Abaco.

On Good Friday, 35 more cases were recorded with 24 coming out of the capital, seven from Grand Bahama, three originating from Bimini and Cat Cay and one being reported from Andros.

On Saturday, the country recorded another 16 confirmed COVID cases; seven of those were from New Providence, another seven were from Grand Bahama, while there was one each from Eleuthera and Andros.

Thirteen more COVID cases were reported on Sunday, eight of which came out of New Providence. Grand Bahama also reported three new cases while Eleuthera and Andros each recorded another case.

Two of the cases that arose in New Providence were said to be people who travelled within the last 14 days.

According to the Health Ministrys latest report, 36 of the newly confirmed cases are currently hospitalised and three patients in New Providence have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

The death toll currently stands at 189, after the death of 74-year-old Bimini resident Louis Edward Rolle was officially added to the tally. The Tribune previously reported that Rolle died on the island last Tuesday after he could not be airlifted to New Providence for treatment due to his size.

Dr Forbes said health officials are concerned about a possible third wave because cases and hospitalisations are trending upward.

She insisted it was crucial for the public to follow the precautions to prevent a surge in new cases.

Its important to remember that we follow the prevention measures because they are very effective, especially in view of (COVID-19) variants that have been demonstrated to be more infectious, she said yesterday.

Last week, Tourism Minister Dionisio DAguilar said the country could not afford to enter a third COVID-19 wave as it could usher in dramatic setbacks for the nation.

What we see around the world and what we are seeing in our country is a slight uptick in cases, he said at the time. This COVID-19 virus is certainly not behind us and until we get 80 percent of the population vaccinated, we are going to have to abide by the health protocols in order to keep the number of cases at a minimum.

In their latest release, health officials also urged the public to comply with the recommended regulations and guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the virus in the country.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not wait, first contact your health provider, the statement read. While home remedies may work for a period it is important to get tested and receive proper care before symptoms become too difficult to manage. If you have been asked by the Surveillance Unit to get tested for COVID-19, please follow the advice and take the gold standard RT-PCR test. Employees are encouraged to work from home.

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Concern mounts on possible third wave - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The world turned sideways for nearly everyone in the travel industry when COVID-19 rocked the economies of tourism-dependent destinations, but for those in the cruise industry, it has been especially hard. Despite that, one of Royal Caribbeans senior managers revealed what she called the silver lining in a year of reflection.

Ginea Wilson, an 18-year veteran who serves as island manager for PerfectDay@CocoCay, spoke frankly about what the partial time-offs have meant, the changes in perspective and why she feels Royal Caribbean deserves to be recognized for the measures it has taken to strengthen training, especially in a personal sense of taking an even closer look at environmental stewardship.

I think, like a lot of people, I have mixed feelings about the past year, said Wilson. I am very eager to get back to work, but for the time I have gotten to spend with my family, I am very grateful. Its something you didnt expect, a silver lining having a lot of quality time with family, to spend on self-development and a lot of opportunity for reflection.

That time for reflection, along with staying in touch with vendors on Coco Cay, residents who depend on Royal Caribbean in the Berry Islands and colleagues at work, have made the mother of a six-year-old and now step-mother to another child more appreciative of the company where she started working fresh out of college.

You begin to understand the sacrifice that Royal Caribbean is making by holding onto staff and making sure everything is ready when they are able to open up and operate once again, said Wilson, a native of Grand Bahama and now Nassau resident when not on Coco Cay in the Berry Islands.

Its a huge human resources jigsaw puzzle because they are rotating staff from all over the world, bringing them in for weeks at a time, dealing with COVID tests before they get on a plane or into to a hotel, then getting them to the island, then we all quarantine for two weeks, so they have to accommodate all of that.

But, she said, Royal Caribbean has used the two-week quarantine process effectively.

A lot of people forget that these businesses are operating with zero revenue yet they are keeping as much staff on as possible on a rotating basis and using the quarantine time to strengthen our training in environmental stewardship waste disposal, recycling, the importance of personal responsibility in preserving the environment, she said.

Wilson said the training was intense, inspiring and especially effective because of the timing.

When we are open and operating, the cruise industry is so busy with long hours and seven days a week So, the quarantine allows us to really focus on the environment.

She said the downtime has knitted friendships, bringing people closer together even if by phone and Zoom as they check on each other, help as they can and offer kindness and emotional support.

For Wilson, the combination of enhanced environmental sensitivity and periodic time off has culminated in something else a new passion for backyard farming. Shes growing tomatoes, pineapples, bananas and limes in between helping daughter Toni with virtual learning.

The only thing I failed at repeatedly was growing thyme, she said.

Wilson is not alone in that, no matter how you spell it!

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Perfect Day@CocoCay manager reflects on year of suspended sailing - EyeWitness News