Bahamas, US, Cruise Lines Conclude “Black Swan” Exercise in Freeport

By: - April 4th, 2013

Above: members of the Bahamas government, cruise lines and the US Coast Guard (BIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamian government recently concluded a joint “Black Swan” exercise with members of the United States Coast Guard and the cruise line industry.

The three-day exercise was designed to create a better understanding of each agencies’ capabilities and concerns during a maritime mass rescue event.

It involved emergency testing procedures, search and rescue coordination and abandon ship process, among other measures.

US Coast Guard crews involved in the event included members on the Coast Guard Cutters Joshua Appleby, Tarpon and Diamondback, along with crewmembers from the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association and Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Cruise lines involved included the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Sea and the Norwegian Sky, both of which were used for an evacuation drill.

“Our engagement with the Bahamian government, cruise line industry and other key partners continues to be highly beneficial,” said Captain Todd Lutes of the 7th Coast Guard District Chief of Incident Management Branch. “We’ve been coordinating these exercises over the past few decades as one of many processes to continually improve maritime safety of passengers and crew.”

Christine Duffy, CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association, said the exercise “further strengthens the cruise industry’s unwavering commitment to emergency preparedness in coordination with the Coast Guard and other government agencies.”

Around 200 people participated in the exercise, including 137 volunteers.

Bahamas

Report Finds "Troubling" Lack of Transparency in US Aid to Haiti

Above: Port-au-Prince (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff There are “significant” problems in the way the United States delivers aid to Haiti, according to a report from the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research. The report, Breaking Open the Black Box: Increasing Aid Transparency and Accountability in Haiti, found an “overall lack of […]

Bahamas

Caribbean Room With a View: A Bungalow at St Kitts' Christophe Harbour

Above: a bungalow at Christophe Harbour IT’S JUST you and the beach. What’s special about the views from the bungalows at St Kitts’ Christophe Harbour are not just what you see — but what you don’t see. The height of beachfront privacy, you’ll feel as if you have the entire island to yourself. Christophe Harbour […]

Bahamas

Haiti Tourism Ministry Launches "Hibiscus" Grading System for Hotels

Above: Haiti Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin By the Caribbean Journal staff Haiti has launched a new initiative aimed at grading tourism establishments in the country. The “Hibiscus” classification scheme is named after Haiti’s national flower and the logo of its rebranded tourism campaign. It will first launch in the southern region, before expanding to other […]

St Kitts and Nevis Mulls Establishing Embassy in Cuba

 Above: Havana By the Caribbean Journal staff St Kitts and Nevis will consider the possibility of establishing an embassy in Cuba in 2014, according to Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas. Douglas revealed the plan during a courtesy call with Cuban Charge d’affaires Hugo Ruiz Cabrera. Cabrera is serving on an interim basis following the departure […]

Cape Air, Regional Carriers Step Up As American Eagle Departs Caribbean

Above: a Cape Air plane in Vieques (CJ Photo) By Alexander Britell The last flight from Tortola on Sunday night marked the end of the American Eagle era in the Caribbean, a process that has been in the works for several years. Eagle, which had operated out of San Juan, had been a crucial carrier […]

Turks and Caicos Premier Takes Over Tourism Portfolio in Cabinet Reshuffle

 Above: Havana By the Caribbean Journal staff St Kitts and Nevis will consider the possibility of establishing an embassy in Cuba in 2014, according to Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas. Douglas revealed the plan during a courtesy call with Cuban Charge d’affaires Hugo Ruiz Cabrera. Cabrera is serving on an interim basis following the departure […]

Haiti Sends Counternarcotics Officers for Training With Miami Police Department

Above: the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute By the Caribbean Journal staff A team of 21 officers Counternarcotics Unit of Haiti’s national police has begun a three-week training course in Miami with the Miami-Dade County Police Department in Florida. The courses, which are being taught at the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute, began Monday, covering […]