The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE death of a female Department of Customs officer in Grand Bahama has sparked concerns over the safety of other officers, particularly at Freeport Harbour since the resumption of ferry passenger services to the island.

The officer was stationed at the harbour and had contracted COVID-19 three weeks ago, and was at home recovering when she died on Wednesday, according to sources on the island. The Tribune learned the mother-of-three had an underlying heart condition as well. Her death has not been officially linked to COVID-19.

However, at least three customs officers in Freeport have now come down with the virus, this newspaper was told, and union officials claim that customs administrators continue to remain tight-lipped about the situation.

“It’s been a few weeks and it seems like everything is a cover up; I don’t know what’s going on,” Shando Wilson, president emeritus of Bahamas Customs, Immigration, and Allied Workers Union told The Tribune yesterday.

“We can’t hear anything from our administrators. We still have yet to get any kind of information as to what is going on.”

When asked about safety protocols at the harbour, Mr Wilson said that is a big concern.

“Well, definitely there isn’t any social distancing going on at the harbour, especially at Balearia when persons get off the vessel. So, I think there is a big issue with that going on at the harbour.”

Mr Wilson said he has heard that at least three customs officers were infected with coronavirus in Freeport.

“There was one at headquarters, the young lady that died yesterday (Wednesday) and also another at the harbour,” he claimed.

“As far as we are concerned there has been no sanitisation of the harbour since they learned the female officer had contracted COVID; that would have been three weeks ago.

“I think it could have been avoided. You send somebody back to the same environment where they get whatever it is from. In my opinion, everything spiralled out of control as soon as the Balearia started running again and bringing passengers to the island,” claimed Mr Wilson.

“They started to carry passengers I think in February or March.”

The Spanish firm Balearia resumed cargo services to Grand Bahama in November and resumed regular passenger sailings to Grand Bahama on March 25.

The fast ferry service has also increased service with an additional Saturday sailing. The company operates two ferry routes to The Bahamas, both out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. That includes service to the island of Bimini and to Grand Bahama.

The Tribune contacted Customs Superintendent Audrey Curry, acting assistant comptroller in Freeport, for comments concerning COVID-19 infections among customs officers in Grand Bahama.

This newspaper was told that she was busy dealing with phone calls. “We are inundated with calls, I gave her your message, but it is really hectic here,” her assistant told The Tribune.