Racing across choppy waters toward Pearl Island at dawn, a four-man team aboard patrol vessel P-52 exemplifies the non-stop vigilance of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Harbour Patrol Unit, which has seized 55 vessels, arrested 15 individuals, and conducted nine search-and-rescue operations in just the first seven months of 2025.
The statistics, released by Senior Lieutenant Themo Berkeley, commanding officer of the Harbour Patrol Unit, reveal an aggressive enforcement operation that has also issued $37,000 in citations while collecting $32,000 – demonstrating the unit’s critical role in maintaining order in Bahamian waters and protecting the nation’s maritime borders.
“Every day we encounter criminals from all aspects of life,” Berkeley stated, emphasizing the diverse threats his marines face daily. The unit’s jurisdiction spans from the cruise ship terminals to remote cays, covering vast stretches of water with limited manpower – a challenge that makes their impressive enforcement record even more remarkable.
The intensity of the unit’s operations became evident during a recent patrol when marines rushed to assist a sinking vessel, successfully helping the individual who had made it to shore. During the same patrol, the team conducted routine boardings of luxury yachts exceeding 100 feet, maintaining the delicate balance between tourism hospitality and maritime security.
Petty Officer Mario Ramsey recalled his most harrowing emergency response when he and Able Seaman Collison Ingraham responded to a catastrophic boat grounding near Coral World. In deteriorating weather conditions and murky waters tinged with blood, the marines broke off an anchor locker to use as a makeshift stretcher, swimming through dangerous seas where sharks could attack at any moment. Despite their heroic efforts, one man died from massive head injuries, while they successfully evacuated a badly injured woman, a small boy, and his mother.
Operating on a demanding schedule with patrols at morning, noon, night, and the pre-dawn hours, the Harbour Patrol Unit maintains constant surveillance of Nassau’s waters. Guard commanders like Petty Officer Mario Ramsey brief their teams before each watch, ensuring every marine knows their role in the day’s operations.
The morning patrol witnessed seasoned veterans – including mechanics Riclisha Kelson, and able seamen Phillip Hanna, Rashad Gray, and Christopher Forbes, all with a decade of service – boarding P-52 despite challenging conditions at what one marine jokingly called “the rickety dock.” Meanwhile, a six-man jet ski team led by Able Seaman Bradley Braynen and including marine mechanics Ryan Lewis, Perez Burrows, Davantae Rolle, Andre Rahming, and Marine Seaman Coyotito Gray, provided rapid response capability and visible deterrence.
“The jet ski team leads the way, giving a sense of presence that it’s another no-nonsense day,” explained one patrol member, describing how the unit projects authority across the harbor and beyond.
Behind every successful patrol lies meticulous preparation. Marine Mechanic David Brennan detailed the exhaustive daily checks that keep vessels operational: “We operate our vessels a lot more than a civilian would. Where a civilian would get 100 hours in four or five months, we get that in a matter of two to three weeks.”
The pre-patrol ritual involves multiple personnel checking VHF radios, horns, lights, steering systems, fire extinguishers, oil levels, and propellers. This preventative maintenance proves critical when mechanics face unexpected challenges, such as replacing a power head with a broken crankshaft – repairs that must be completed quickly to maintain operational readiness.
Supporting the front-line operations, Petty Officer Stevette McSweeney serves as the unit’s administrative nerve center, processing boarding certificates, managing personnel schedules, and documenting every incident. “Without her, things wouldn’t be logged,” Berkeley acknowledged, highlighting how administrative efficiency enables operational success.
McSweeney’s role extends beyond paperwork – she coordinates emergency replacements when marines face personal crises and has even stepped in as guard commander when needed, demonstrating the unit’s adaptability and depth.
Despite their successes, the Harbour Patrol Unit faces significant challenges. “It’s a lot of ground to cover but not enough people,” Gray admitted, pointing to manpower shortages that strain the unit’s capabilities. Public perception also poses challenges as marines balance enforcement with community relations.
Yet morale remains high. “The work is really fun and it doesn’t feel like work,” Gray noted, adding that patrolling Bahamian waters allows marines to “see parts of the country you would have never seen before or even knew existed.”
Berkeley’s leadership philosophy emphasizes structure and delegation through his divisional system, with acting force chiefs in operations and administration ensuring tasks are completed. He seeks marines with “hard work and integrity, someone who is willing to learn.”
His proudest moments come from “hearing that the marines under my command say their CO has their back and that he is fighting for them,” Berkeley revealed, underlining the mutual respect that binds the unit together.
The Harbour Patrol Unit’s enforcement statistics – 24 confiscated personal watercraft, 31 vessels seized, and continuous boarding operations – represent just the quantifiable portion of their national security contribution. Their presence near cruise ship terminals, rapid response to maritime emergencies, and enforcement of no-wake zones in the harbor protect both Bahamian citizens and the tourism industry vital to the nation’s economy.
From checking registration documents to responding to missing persons at Long Cay as sunset approaches, from intercepting suspicious vessels to maintaining order in one of the Caribbean’s busiest harbors, the Harbour Patrol Unit stands as an essential bulwark protecting Bahamian sovereignty and maritime security.
As Berkeley advises aspiring marines: “When you come here, know that you’re here to work. It’s a good place to be, but know you come here to work.”
With threats evolving and maritime traffic increasing, the Harbour Patrol Unit’s mission grows ever more critical – these guardians of Nassau’s waters remain ready, watching, and working to ensure the safety and security of the Bahamas’ maritime domain.The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Harbour Patrol Unit operates from East Bay Street, Nassau, conducting continuous maritime security operations throughout Bahamian waters.
