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News : Ministry of Tourism Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Senator Russell remarks at STCW95 Graduation Ceremony
Mar 23, 2015 - 12:11:41 PM

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Graduates pose for a group photo with Senator Russell

Freeport, The Bahamas -
Standard Training and Certified Watch Keepers (STCW95) Graduation Ceremony Remarks Delivered by Sen. Julian Russell, Chairman, Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas on March 18th, 2015:

The Global Cruise Industry will be watching closely in anticipation, to see how well the first successful recruits from Grand Bahama Island will deliver on the Bahamas’ reputation as a regional tourism leader, and as one of the world’s leading cruise ports of call.

As foreshadowed by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, in a media conference held at the Grand Lucayan Beach Resort, December 15th, 2014, Grand Bahama Island has now welcomed a luxury Cruise and Stay product departing from West Palm Beach thrice weekly via the Grand Celebration.

On February 3rd, ninety days after the ill-fated accident at the Freeport Harbour, the 1700-passenger Grand Celebration launched its service and since the recent launch, February 3rd through March 16, 2015, the Grand Celebration has made 21 calls and delivered 35,035 passengers, compared to the 27,825 passenger arrivals via the ill-fated Bahamas Celebration in 2014. These numbers indicate a marked increase in passenger arrivals of 7,210, or 26%.

And in accordance with the Letter of Agreement between the Government and the Ship Owners, Grand Celebration will provide 300 exciting job prospects for the Bahamian Seafarer interested in a career in the cruise industry; as well as increase the number of passengers to be transported by taxicabs.

The Bahamas Celebration’s projected impact to the local economy is calculated to $27 million, plus $4 million in new employment for a total of $31 million.

As the first 57 candidates to participate in the required training to be hired aboard the Grand Celebration, you received an onboard orientation, Wednesday, March 4th, 2015.

Therefore, you have had an opportunity to see for yourself the friendly professionalism extended to all guests, by the international crew members from 37 different countries; as well as the high standard of maintenance and quality of the vessel.

And of course, you were recipients of an inspiring Ministerial Charge, delivered by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe.

Ladies and Gentlemen: this initiative signals the official entry into a global industry and the pursuit of maritime careers at an unprecedented level.

The Cruise Industry is a fast growing sector that has an annual passenger compound annual growth rate of 6.55% from 1990 - 2019. To date the growth strategy have been driven by larger capacity new builds and ship diversification, more local ports, more destinations and new on-board/on-shore activities that match demands of consumers.

There is a lot of room for growth as all the cruise ships in the entire world filled at capacity all year long still only amount to less than ½ of the total number of visitors to Las Vegas.

Seven new ships will be added in 2015 with a total passenger capacity of 18,813. From 2016 to 2017, 15 more new cruiseships will come online adding 39,637to worldwide passenger capacity, or 8.1%. The ships from 2015 to 2016 will add $3.6 billion in annual revenue to the cruise industry.

Today, Thursday, March 19th, marks another important milestone in the process as the first 55 candidates to graduate from the STCW95 program.

It was not long ago, on Monday 23rd, February 2015, when some 641 applicants participated in the Job Fair held at the Grand Lucayan Convention Centre, you are among the 57 applicants, who have been selected to complete the first training session, which commenced March 2nd, 2015.

You are now aware the certification required for employment in the cruise industry includes: City and Guilds accredited Hospitality, Food, Beverage and Housekeeping; basic International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved Standard Training and Certified Watch Keepers (STCW), Crisis Management, Crowd Control and Security Awareness.

Initially, the following positions are being immediately targeted: Retail Staff, Cabin Attendants, Hotel Stewards, Bell Attendants, Laundry Staff, Pool Attendants, Entry Level Cooks and Kitchen Personnel, Junior Waiters, Bar Servers, licensed and unlicensed officers, etc.

You are required to undergo a background check, prior to the Skype Interview with the Ship and then complete a thorough medical examination, Diversity Training and BahamaHost.

Successful candidates will be issued an employment letter to support the request for US Visa approval. At the end of this process the candidate will be qualified for employment with the Grand Celebration or any other international cruise line.

The recruitment, selection and training process will be conducted on an ongoing basis until all 300 positions are filled.

Napoleon Hill, author of the 1937 best selling book “Think and Grow Rich” said, “To win the big stakes in this changed world, you must catch the spirit of the great pioneers of the past, whose dreams have given to civilization all that it has of value, the spirit that serves as the life-blood of our own country – your opportunity and mine, to develop and market our talents”.

Graduates you are required to perform as if you are the starting five on a championship basketball team. The hopes and dreams of other Bahamian seafarers are resting squarely on your broad, pioneering shoulders.

In closing, I wish to commend the Tourism Development Corporation, for their effort, in cooperation with the National Training Agency, Department of Labour, Ship Mate Ltd Crewing Agency, Gadites Maritime & Nautical Institution, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism for driving this all-Bahamian Recruitment and Training Program.

 

 


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