By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Paradise Cruise Line presented over 8,000 pounds of food and other items to the Rotary Clubs for distribution to local food banks and charitable organisations on Grand Bahama.
Rotarian James Sarles, chairman of the Rotary Disaster Relief Committee, accepted the generous donation that arrived at Freeport Harbour last Friday onboard the Grand Classica vessel, one of the two vessels operated by Bahamas Paradise.
Due to the global shutdown of the cruise industry because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, cruise ships around the world are unable to sail. As a result, the Grand Classica – a 2,000-passenger vessel – was forced to reduce its staff of 800 to a skeleton crew of 34.
Mr Sarles has worked closely with the cruise line in the past helping to deliver relief aid during Hurricane Dorian. He said: “Because there are no more passengers on the ship, and they let go most of their staff, there were in the middle of this pandemic with their deep freezers full of food items – everything they needed to serve in their buffets and restaurants. And so instead of letting it go bad, they donated it to the Rotary Clubs on Grand Bahama.”
He noted that with the assistance of Rotary assistant governor Billy Jane Ferguson they were able to work with the Customs Department to get the items released VAT and duty-free. Jeremy Cafferata, of Freeport Ship Services, transported the items on release to the Leader Beverage warehouse on Queens Highway, where the items were separated between the five Rotary Clubs for distribution to people, churches, and organisations within the community.
Bahamas Paradise said that it was pleased to partner with the Rotary Clubs of Grand Bahama to distribute humanitarian aid to local food banks around Grand Bahama.
Oneil Khosa, the cruise line’s CEO, said: “This past year has been an incredible challenge, not just for the cruise industry, but for many destinations that rely on cruising as their primary source of economy development and sustainability.”
Mr Khosa said that Bahamas Paradise has always had a special bond with Grand Bahama, which he described as their “home away from home”.
He stated that the cruise line remains committed to helping its friends and neighbours in Grand Bahama in every way they can.
The cruise line provided humanitarian relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
“While we are eager to return safely to sea and welcome guests back onboard, the delay in sailing operations we’ve encountered during the COVID-19 global pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to further our mission of giving back,” Mr Khosa said.
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