Prime Minister Christie addresses the BSA AGM in Nassau

This year the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nassau at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel, where attendees had the honour of meeting the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, The Right Honourable Perry G. Christie, who addressed the delegation.

During the Prime Minister’s address he stated, “I am more than happy that you have chosen to have your AGM here in Nassau, our capital which for me is a strong and emphatic vote of confidence in the services which the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Ministry of Transport has been able to offer in support of your worldwide activities.”

Prime Minister Christie went on to state that “It is incumbent upon all of us to develop mechanisms to not only preserve our maritime tradition but also to promote it in order encourage young men and women to become mariners.”

Other presentations included RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe: Promoting best shipping practices to protect the Wider Caribbean Region, Vassillis Tsigourakos; The Role of the Port Department in The Bahamas, Capt. Cyril Roker and a presentation by Lloyd’s Register North America, Joep Bollerman.

In addition to holding the AGM and Board meetings in the capital, the BSA hosted a reception for senior high school students and cadets of the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corp (BMCC) where there were some 300 students in attendance. At the reception Mr. George Pateras, BSA Chairman, confirmed the Association’s continued support and informed the students of the BSA’s new initiative to develop a ‘complete cadet career package’ which will not only produce quality Bahamian seafarers but also map out a comprehensive career path. Minister of Transport & Aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martina, welcomed this ‘new and exciting’ initiative thanked the Chairman and his membership for the support of the BMCC and also for the assistance in placing Bahamian mariners on ships internationally.