MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco -- On March 19-23, officials from the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) visited Marsh Harbour to conduct the first in a series of training exercises in Flood Water/Rope Rescue.  Fifteen first responders representing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), and various local fire and rescue agencies participated in the extensive five-day program.  

Instructors representing Health and Human Services (HHS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) facilitated the critical life-saving techniques to provide flood, water, and rope rescue training with an emphasis on ways to keep rescuers from becoming victims.

USNORTHCOM provided the funds for the training through its TSC Civilian-Military Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Program at a cost of $500,000, inclusive of the training and the life-saving equipment.  The equipment includes 16 foot aluminum boats with trailers, personal technician kits, ropes, megaphones, life vests and search lights.  

The Flood Water/Rope Rescue Training in Marsh Harbour was the first of three exercises scheduled for The Bahamas.  An additional thirty first responders from Grand Bahama and New Providence are expected to benefit from the training over the next two months.

TREASURE CAY, Abaco -- The 2012 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend took place from Friday March 23rd to Sunday March 25th. Competitors from across the nation and from countries as far away as the UK, as well as Canada and the United States, were in attendance at race headquarters, the Coco Beach Bar at the Treasure Cay Resort & Marina.

The first event, a one mile open water swim in the serene waters of Treasure Cay Beach, kicked off on Friday at 5pm. Seven competitors participated from the Bahamas and the UK. 

The winner, with a time of 24:07, was Peter Wagner of Nassau, Bahamas, who decided 5 minutes before the start to participate. 

Gina Wilcox, a Treasure Cay second-home owner from the UK, won the women's division. Wilcox is associated with an open water swim club in the UK and was very impressed with the swim event.

The main events of the weekend, the triathlons, started early Saturday morning. Following a glorious sunrise on a picture-perfect day, at 7:30am the gun went off and the swimmers entered the again tranquil waters of Treasure Cay Beach.

The Olympic competitors swam 1500m, biked 40 km, and ran 10km. Greg Lowe of Nassau won the event with a time of 2:53:25, with Peter Wagner and Carlo Chee-A-Tow taking second and third.

ABACO, Bahamas -- The Bahamas National Trust held a public meeting in Treasure Cay last week at the Treasure Cay Community Centre.  Attending the meeting were BNT Executives along with BNT’s Parrot Biologist Caroline Stahala, who was the featured speaker for the evening.

Stahala, an endangered species biologist, received her Masters while studying the population and health of the Abaco Parrot; she is currently focusing on social behavior of nesting parrots on the Abaco islands. Over seventy residents of the Treasure Cay community attend the public meeting to learn more about Ms. Stahala’s research and the ongoing protection of the Abaco Parrot.  

Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director welcomed the residents and further reiterated the need for ongoing support of the Bahamas National Trust, "The BNT as the manager of the national park system not only has to raise money to pay wardens and create infrastructure but we have an obligation to study and protect the species that the park was created to protect.  

"In the case of the Abaco National Park, the Bahama Parrot is the species of concern and having a good relationship and supporting the biologist studying its behavior and needs is imperative in the management of the park.  We are fortunate to have Ms. Stahala, who has dedicated the last ten years to studying our parrot and working with the Trust to establish our predator control programme and identify habitat needs for the parrot."

YOUNG CONSTITUENTS -- Students of the Amy Roberts All Age School, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, pay courtesy call on Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, March 19.

Green Turtle Cay is in the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency of North Abaco.

(BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Remarks
Constituency Headquarters Opening
Central & South Abaco
Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham
Party Leader
15 March 2012

Central and South Abaco;

FNMs:

You know, sometimes your own supporters get too enthusiastic and say things or play songs at rallies that are really ‘over the top’.

They got really enthusiastic in St. Anne’s the other night and the music man started playing the strains of a hymn “Nobody Greater”. He meant well I am sure but that was not right. I have told all those responsible for organizing the music at our Constituency Office Openings and Rally’s that we cannot have that happen again. There is only one God and we certainly do not want anyone to suspect even for a millisecond that we don’t understand that. So they are clear on that point. I apologize.

I’ll tell you a story. When I first joined the FNM, Kendal Isaacs introduced me to the thousands of FNM supporters gathered at the R.M. Bailey Park. That was FNM Ground Zero in Nassau in those days. As the crowd roared, Kendal leaned over and whispered into my ears “Remember, Thou art only a man”. Of course I knew that before that moment, I knew that in the moment and I certainly have known it ever since…only a man, and your servant.

TREASURE CAY, Abaco -- The inaugural 2012 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend is on schedule to take place at the beautiful Treasure Cay Resort & Marina the weekend of March 23-25th.  With a variety of events offered there is something for everyone, even those who just wish to enjoy a weekend getaway to Abaco.  Visit the website HERE for complete details.

The excitement kicks off Friday evening with a welcome reception and the first event, a one-mile Open Water Swim at Treasure Cay Beach - voted one of the region’s top 10 beaches in a reader poll by Caribbean Travel & Life.

Saturday ramps up the action with Triathlons!  The popular Sprint Distance is sure to be highly competitive.  For those wanting an even greater challenge, organisers have an Olympic Distance race offered.  This is not a distance one sees all that often and should prove to be both thrilling to compete in and to watch.  Not wanting to leave anyone out, there is also a Kids 12 & Under 1 mile Fun Run scheduled.  All the triathlon action takes place at Treasure Cay Resort & Marina using the Coco Beach Bar & Grill parking lot as the transition area.  Following a day of racing unwind at the 'Bahamian Night' awards reception and dinner.

Gather the whole family together on Sunday morning for the final event - a 5K or 10K Fun Run or Walk.  Individuals only though, relays will not be permitted.  The course will take place inside the boundaries of beautiful Treasure Cay.

Online registration is now open, click HERE for the page on Active.com.  The deadline for online registration is March 21st.  Additionally, registration forms can be picked up from the Ministry of Tourism office in Marsh Harbour or downloaded HERE.  Completed forms can be returned to the Ministry of Tourism office in Marsh Harbour along with payment or brought to Treasure Cay on Friday, March 23rd during packet pick-up between 3-8pm at the Coco Beach Bar.