Four Marines from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), recently returned to the Bahamas on Monday, 2nd September 2024 after completing a mission in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, specifically on Union Island.
The team was part of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) and was deployed to assist with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities following the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the Caribbean nation.
While deployed on Union Island, Petty Officer Karia Smith, Petty Officer Tyrone Brown, Leading Seaman Alexander Ferguson and Leading Mechanic Donald Newbold played critical roles in the relief efforts, assisting with a variety of tasks, including: Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions, Relief Supply and Distribution, CDEMA Logistics System (CLS) activities, erecting two (2) World Food Programme-Mobile Storage Units (MSU), managing warehouse operations, providing Psychological First-Aid (PFA), roof and plumbing repairs and conducting Disaster Management Training Modules.
The CDRU’s mission is to conduct disaster response and relief operations on behalf of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), supporting member states affected by natural or technological hazards.
The CDRU’s key tasks include managing relief supplies, maintaining emergency telecommunications, and providing specialized personnel to repair critical infrastructure. Each member of the CDRU team is selected based on the specific skills required for the operation.
In this deployment, Petty Officer Smith, a Disaster Management specialist and instructor within the RBDF, was tasked with EOC duties. Petty Officer Brown focused on managing and executing logistical functions. Leading Seaman Ferguson, an RBDF combat medic, served as the team medic, providing necessary medical assistance and Leading Seaman Newbold, a skilled plumber and electrician, was assigned to provide technical support.
The team described their deployment as a “humbling experience,” emphasizing the importance of assisting impacted communities and supporting those in vulnerable situations after Hurricane Beryl.
They also highlighted the mission’s significance in raising awareness about the effects of climate change and global warming on small island developing nations. Representing The Bahamas in this capacity, while uniting with various Caribbean law enforcement agencies, was an honor for the team.
Under Commodore Raymond King, the RBDF remains in a state of preparedness to address evolving challenges, such as responding to circumstances where disaster relief efforts are needed, not only domestically, but also to our partner nations who we work along with to ensure regional maritime security.
