The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

On the heels of the grand opening of Memories Resort and Casino one would have expected a sense of hopefulness and optimism to be in the air in Grand Bahama. After all, one could argue that investor confidence is back and it is only a matter of time before we witness multiple projects underway.

Instead, Grand Bahamians woke up on Wednesday to a series of troubling news reports, including the Bahamas Marine Pilots Association (BMPA) once again sounding a false alarm about systemic safety issues in Bahamian waters in general and Grand Bahamian waters in particular.

It is most unfortunate that these would-be entrepreneurs continue to miss the basic point that if they continue to fabricate terrible stories of supposed dangers of Bahamian waters, including Freeport Harbour that they may damage the name of this jurisdiction that relies heavily on international shipping. The fact is our continued success in Freeport relies on the confidence of cruise ships, tankers, cargo ships and the like. If this confidence is ever lost there will be a reduction in business activities, which is badly needed to secure thousands of Bahamian jobs.

The path that some of these Pilots and their advisors are on threatens to damage the very business that has paid them better than most of the nations’ workforce. In fact, a number of them earn more than $140,000 per annum plus benefits. Truthfully, these Pilots are driven primarily by the hope that they can wrestle away the perceived substantial revenue now enjoyed by Freeport Harbour Company, BORCO and Stat Oil. Ours is a Free Market System therefore I have no problem with folks strategising to get more for their labour. However, some approaches in achieving this are simply unwise. Obviously, the Pilots do not appreciate that they are so souring their relationship with each company they hope to work with that when this matter is resolved few persons would wish to work with them on any level.

Let me state it slightly differently, less than truthful accusations severely and possibly irreversibly damage their relationship with their formers colleagues and employers. More importantly, false damning accusations that can harm this economy causes even those of us who sympathize with the Pilots to take issue with their message and methods.

My research indicates that the Pilots while employed at FHC never sounded the alarm about safety using their name nor did they leak any concerns they may have had anonymously. Before October (about the time when the business idea they had was taking shape) not a word on safety concerns was uttered. The BMPA Nassau advisor has yet to answer the CEO of HPH, Godfrey Smith’s contention that they are one of the safest Ports in the world given the few incidents versus the large number of moves. My research supports his claim.

I certainly can’t and won’t make the case that these big companies are all virtuous. However, if you (Pilots) are going to fight them to increase your revenue please don’t do it at the expense of the rest of us. What we put in the international Press has the potential to adversely affect all of us for a very long time. We can’t afford it!

While it may be too late for any form of reconciliation between the former employers and some members of the BMPA it is not too late for some Pilots who went along with the initial rhetoric and lofty goals of a few. Had I been their advisor I would strongly urge them to cease and desist from intentionally or unintentionally inflicting reputational damage on this jurisdiction.

CONCERNED GRAND BAHAMIAN

Nassau,

March 25, 2014.