The U.S. Coast Guard crew and DEU officer with Ms. Andrea Gibson, Q.C. principal along with Ms. Sylvia Beneby, head of the primary school department, other school officials and sixth graders. U.S. Embassy officials, Lcdr. Tom Gill, U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer and Neda Brown, Public Affairs Officer also participated in the demonstration.

Nassau, Bahamas - On Wednesday, June 18, the entire primary school student body, faculty and staff at Queen’s College Primary School received a special treat when representatives from the United States Coast Guard, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) made a special visit to the school’s campus located on Village Road.  It was not a typical visit, as the students lined the perimeter of the school’s playing field eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Coast Guard crew.  The excited students began to cheer when they heard the sounds of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovering overhead.  As the helo made its descent, the Coast Guard helicopter crew delighted the students by circling the school a few times before making its landing onto the school’s compound.

After disembarking from the helicopter, the four member U.S. Coast Guard team, led by Lcdr. Richie Walsh received a warm welcome from Ms. Andrea Gibson, Principal at Queen’s College along with Ms. Sylvia Beneby, head of the primary school department and sixth graders Kyla Bethel, Jodie Ritchie and Joseph Lynch.  U.S. Embassy officials, Lcdr. Tom Gill, U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer and Ms. Neda Brown, Public Affairs Officer also participated in the two-hour helicopter demonstration.  

A special assembly was held in the school’s auditorium that gave the American and Bahamian law enforcement officers an opportunity to participate in a question and answer period with the students.  They used the interactive session to highlight the efforts of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) in areas of search and rescue missions, illegal migrant interdiction and combating drug trafficking in Bahamian waters.   

During the event, the guests were presented with Queen’s College Comets caps, to commemorate their visit at the school.  Following the Q and A, the students accompanied the OPBAT officers onto the field for a chance to get a close-up view of the helicopter and greet the law enforcement team. 

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Queen’s College students line-up to “high five” the Coast Guard crew.

Queen’s College students with OPBAT team members.

U.S. Coast Guard Lcdr. Richie Walsh with one of the students who participated in the Q and A session to learn about the role of the Coast Guard.