The Tribune

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has confirmed Captain Dwain E Hutchinson’s appointment as its new managing director and chief executive.

The announcement, made on April 11, sees Captain Hutchinson succeed Commodore Davy F Rolle, who stepped down as managing director last year.

Renward Wells, minister of transport and local government, said: “International maritime administration is a field in which The Bahamas continues to excel on a global scale. The appointment of Captain Dwain Hutchinson as the managing director and chief executive of the BMA is another milestone in maritime excellence for The Bahamas.”

Mr Wells said Captain Hutchinson brings to the post an unusually “broad and deep” list of qualifications and accomplishments. “He has now assumed a key leadership position in the international maritime regulatory field,” he added. “I congratulate him, and the entire BMA team, on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas.”

The minister said the BMA administers one of the world’s major ship registries, overseeing numerous high profile vessels. “The maritime sector is a major contributor to the economy of The Bahamas and plays a major role in our expansive vision and plan for The Bahamas’ Blue Economy growth,” Mr Wells said.

He added that the BMA was partnering with voluntary initiatives by ship owners to help create on-going job opportunities for Bahamians on board their vessels globally. Mr Wells said the BMA is engaged in the international regulation of ship-based ballast-water treatment systems, and air emissions from ships, while also working on a new Merchant Shipping Act.

Captain Hutchinson completed his maritime studies at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in Scotland, where he attained his UK Master Mariner (Unlimited) STCW certificate. He served at sea for 14 years as a deck officer on a variety of ships before joining the BMA in l996. At the BMA, he has served in various senior executive capacities.