Resorts World Bimini (RWB) has teamed up with Tropic Ocean Airways, a South Florida based airline, to assist with relief efforts to those impacted by Hurricane Joaquin in the Bahamas. In addition to emergency supplies such as tarps, water, canned food items, mosquito repellant, sleeping bags, powdered milk, batteries and chlorine tablets to make flood waters safe, RWB donated fuel for the airline’s entire fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan wheeled and seaplanes which have all been deployed to The Bahamas. The all-weather aircraft have high cargo capacity to accommodate supplies and will continue to make deliveries all week long. RWB is located in the northern Bahamas which was unaffected by the storm. President Ed Farrell says although the resort did not sustain any damages, it did not hesitate to lend a helping hand to those who did.
“As a resort that operates in The Bahamas, we know all too well the vulnerability that the islands face and we are grateful to be in a position to help,” said Farrell. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of the central and south eastern Bahamas in the wake of this tragedy.”
The relief effort has brought together organizations in both the Bahamas and South Florida who are supporting the assistance plan, including aircraft and crew based in George Town, Exuma, and others who will run between Fort Lauderdale and other islands. Tropic Ocean Airways’ Rob Ceravolo said the shared resources can help even more people.
“I have been flying to the Bahamas for many years, so when the opportunity to help arose, I was more than honored to do so,” he said. “We mobilized our team of 40 and had planes in the air almost immediately. We are grateful to Resorts World Bimini for reaching out to us to help the people of The Bahamas.”
Others who are assisting in the effort include Sheltair Aviation, Jet Aviation in Nassau, Strachan’s Aviation in George Town, and several individuals. The crew includes ex-military personnel with relief experience from the earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan in 2011 as well as other highly experienced pilots. The seaplanes will deliver supplies to the less accessible outer islands of the Bahamas in desperate need such as Rum Cay, Crooked Island, and Clarence Town Long Island. Three aircrafts loaded with supplies were deployed on Sunday.
Items are still being accepted. Those in Florida interested in contributing to the effort are asked to please contact the travel team at Tropic Ocean Airways at reservations@flytropic.com, by calling 1-800-767-0897, or by visiting the website http://info.flytropic.com/relief for more information. In The Bahamas, please contact the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at nema@bahamas.gov.bs or 242-322-6081.
