As a part of the Inauguration Ceremony for Balearia's Bahama Mama's maiden voyage to Freeport from Port Everglades, Thursday, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, and Aldolfo Utor, Chairman of Balearia, exchanged plaques. Also shown at right is Nuvolari Chathosingh, manager of Maritime Affairs. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama
-- Freeport Harbour was a buzz of activity as the island welcomed its newest
ferry passenger vessel, Balearia's ‘Bahama Mama,’
Thursday.
The inauguration ceremony
was attended by a cross-section of the Grand Bahama community including
Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu,
parliamentarians, officials from the Grand Bahama Port Authority and
businessmen.
Those travelling on
the vessel from Port Everglades agreed that even though the conditions were
windy and the seas rough, their voyage was a smooth one.
Mrs. Jibrilu said,
"today we usher in a new age in transportation to Grand Bahama Island in
our continued pursuit to stay connected to the world and more specifically, our
American neighbours.
"This brand new,
state-of-the-art luxurious vessel will act as a travelling ambassador to and
from Florida and, as I describe it, Paradise, as it shuttles visitors and
Bahamians alike. This new vessel also represents a bond between nations and the
link that, I think, we all would agree is undeniable. We also recognize our
steadfast partner in this pursuit, Balearia - without you, none of this would
be possible."
The ship, built in
2010, has the capacity to hold 1,000 passengers, and as such, Mrs. Jibrilu said
it is anticipated that approximately 300,000 day and stop-over visitors will
visit the island.
Chairman of Balearia,
Adolfo Utor, pledged continued support to Grand Bahama, and added that they
will continue to invest and grow in the country, and hoped they continued to
have everyone's support.
He said, "We have
the ambition to grow within the Bahamian Islands and in all of the
Caribbean."
Mikayla Lewis, winner
of the contest to name the new vessel, received a round trip travel voucher for
her family and a care pack from the Ministry of Tourism.
More photos on Facebook.