In keeping with the country’s collaborative framework to strengthen cooperative partnerships with its regional and international partners. Acting Minister of National Security, the Honourable Keith Bell, MP, Commander Defence Force, Commodore Dr. Raymond King, and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security, Carl Smith participated in a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing. The delegation traveled on behalf of The Bahamas Government to sign a Technical Cooperation and Shiprider Agreement bilateral agreement. The purpose of both agreements (MOU and Shiprider) is to establish a mechanism for cooperation in border control efforts, information and intelligence sharing, training, joint operations, and synergizing of operational strategies for combating the unsafe transport and smuggling of irregular movements of migrants, trafficking in persons, illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, illegal manufacturing and trafficking in firearms (their parts and components and ammunition), consistent with international law and available law enforcement resources and priorities related thereto. Their visit reaffirms The Bahamas’ commitment to continued working relationships with the United States, Turks and Caicos, and its Caribbean partners in advancing security cooperation and preparedness for disaster response in the region. Accompanied by the RBDF SOUTHERN COMMANDER, Captain Glenn McPhee; COMMANDER OPERATIONS; Senior Commander Chapell Whyms; Commodore King’s Aide, Sub Lieutenant Delroy Dennis; Aide to the Acting Minister of National Security, Mr. Kyle Bodie. Also in attendance representing the United States were the USCG Seventh District Commander; Admiral Brendan McPherson; US Charge d’Affaires/Chief of Mission to The Bahamas, Usha Pitts; representing the United Kingdom was the British High Commissioner to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Sarah Dickson; Turks and Caicos Islands representatives; Governor, His Excellency Nigel Dakin; Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove.The two-day conference held in Grand Turk and Providenciales discussed matters of mutual interest arising from a MOU on technical assistance in border control matters related to transnational criminal threats, and a Shiprider Agreement, which permits representatives from the Turks and Caicos Service to embark onboard RBDF vessels (to be assisted by the RBDF) with matters related to Maritime Law Enforcement. Countries involved in signings were the United States, the United Kingdom, Turks and Caicos, and The Bahamas.These agreements (and working together jointly) extend the ‘Arm’ of Law Enforcement Agencies of each country present, by strategically strengthening their National Security posture in the fight against illicit and unlawful activity that threatens the sovereignty of their nation’s borders. Similar to the signing of the Operations Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) agreement between respective governments (the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in 1982, three governments can leverage scarce resources as force multipliers to increase their military capabilities and capacities. The collaborative and cooperative efforts and coordinated Maritime Law Enforcement activities of all the countries yielded great results in the fight against illicit and unlawful activities. Thus, the signing of agreements between the United States, the United Kingdom, Turks and Caicos, and The Bahamas will continue to strengthen cooperative relationships throughout the region.
