Welcome to Bahamas Local, Your Bahamas Online Search Engine

A RESOLUTION honouring the BRAVERY of THE CREW OF hmbs Flamingo and attack on the bahamas

Thu, May 11th 2023, 11:38 AM
Politics

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this most important and long overdue move to further honour the nineteen crew members of the HMBS Flamingo and in particular: 

  • Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup;
• Marine Seaman David Tucker;
• Marine Seaman Edward Williams; and 
• Marine Seaman Austin Smith  

In doing so, I recall the words engraved on the Cenotaph in the heart of this City:

“Bahamians, this of you be said,
that you who live are worthy of your dead.
These gave their lives that you who live,
may reap a richer harvest, ere you fall asleep.”


Madam Speaker, today it is almost impossible for this generation to fathom the events which took place in May, 1980 when our peaceful Country was the victim of an unprovoked horrific attack.  To place the attack in its context, The Bahamas was less than a decade old and the Pindling administration saw the need for a Defence Force.  This move proved controversial in some quarters. However, the Pindling administration pressed on.  Some of our finest sons were recruited to form this new Force and in spite of all the challenges, the Defence Force was created.

The events of May 10, 1980 took place within weeks of the Force’s creation - weeks Madam Speaker.  This attack was not an accidental sinking but a horrific unacceptable incursion on our sovereignty.

Madam Speaker, the records show that: 

• In the first attack, two Cuban military MiG fighter jets buzzed HMBS Flamingo firing their machine guns to the side and directly in front of HMBS Flamingo.

• About forty five minutes later, the jets returned and began a second assault of rockets and machine gun fire hitting the ship. Whilst our men desperately sought to escape the vessel, the jets returned, shelling the surrounding waters with machine gun fire and tearing apart the two lifeboats. 

• After the MiG fighter jets disappeared, a military helicopter remained in the area until the Flamingo was completely sunk.

• The attack continued the following day when Cuban jet fighters along with a large long range transport aircraft and a helicopter carried out simulated attacks and landed in Duncan Town terrorizing the community for over three hours.
Madam Speaker, I can recall my aunt Portia Taylor, then an operator at BTC- well Batelco (when island to island calls required operator assistance).  Aunt Portia still recalls the many calls received from Ragged Islanders in a complete panic from the Cuban attack on their island.  It was only when US fighter jets were sent to the area that the attack ended.  These were truly scary times.

The attack was of such significance that it was the top story on the front page of the New York Times and I would like to table the article. 

Madam Speaker, I have sought to briefly outline the key elements of the attack because it is important for the record that we acknowledge that this was no ordinary event and Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup; Marine Seaman David Tucker; Marine Seaman Edward Williams; and Marine Seaman Austin Smith were no ordinary men.  Nor were their colleagues.  Indeed, the bravery of the survivors in the aftermath of the tragedy demonstrated that those who lived, proved themselves worthy of their dead.

What is notable to me Madam Speaker, is that even though they were attacked, their vessels destroyed, their colleagues killed, the surviving members of the Flamingo’s crew did not abort their mission and returned to Ragged Island with the prisoners.

Madam Speaker, over the next days and weeks following the attack, I believe every Bahamian mother cried and wept and prayed as though their very own son was missing at sea. This was a particularly significant as the attack and the death of the marines occurred on the Mother’s Day weekend.  

Madam Speaker, I could recall all our Churches and Pastors opening their church doors for continuous prayers for the fallen men, their families and the nation. Here we were, a few years from Independence – under attack.  What did this mean for us?

Well - at our darkest hour, came an absolute resolve.  This Nation and its people would stand and if necessary, fight.  Bahamians were and remain united in our resolve to protect and preserve the territorial integrity of The Bahamas. 

The bravery of the crew of the Flamingo was inspirational and I can recall feeling like I too could take on the world.  A few years later just after my 18th birthday, I joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force committed to serve.

Today a grateful nation salutes and honours 19 of its finest sons.  The bravery of the Flamingo’s captain, crew and the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen are a foundational symbol of our nation’s story.  The attack and valiant response of our marines are a seminal moment in our history whose importance cannot be understated.

Madam Speaker, we remember them, the survivors of the HMBS Flamingo and the many officers who work continuously and tirelessly to protect and preserve the territorial sovereignty of The Bahamas.  

Madam Speaker, I began with the inscription on the Cenotaph.  Now I pose the question - are we who live truly worthy of our dead?  Today, there are so many instances where persons in our uniformed Forces have paid far too high a price for serving and insufficient has been done to help and support them and their families.
I recall:

• On the 5th August, 1994, the HMBS Montague intercepted two Honduran Fishing vessels with some 120 Honduran Fisherman onboard. As darkness fell, the Fishermen became hostile and having broken away from the HMBS Montague, kidnapped:

• Able Seaman Anthony Archer
• Marine Mechanic Solomon McKenzie
• Able Mechanic Sean Rolle
• Able Seaman Lorenzo Carey

The Officers were threatened with death, tied up and held at knife point. The hostile Honduran Fishermen held these men captive for more than a week before arriving with them in Honduras. The Officers were subsequently released and returned to The Bahamas. 

• On 13th June, 2016, the crew of HMBS Cascarilla was forced to return fire at a fishing vessel registered in the Dominican Republic after being fired upon first by the crew of that vessel near the Great Bahama Bank.

• On 10th November, 2018, DOMINICAN poachers engaged the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in a shoot-out on the high seas before more than 100 of them were arrested.

• On 5th September, 2021, HMBS BAHAMAS, under the command of Senior Lieutenant Alexis Brown, was rammed following the hostile interception of a Dominican fishing vessel. 

Madam Speaker, the risks to our uniformed officers goes far beyond physical threats. 

I think of Leading Seaman Jeffrey Gibson who lost his life at sea when the Dominican vessel that was intercepted and being towed by the RBDF capsized and sank with him being trapped on-board.

I think of young marine seaman Anfrenee Brett Neely who lost his life at sea when the RBDF vessel on which they were traveling hit an object and he was ejected to his untimely demise.

I think of Marine Seaman Fisher and all the others, hardworking dedicated Officers asked to undertake a number of dives to assist in the retrieval of bodies after an incident involving a sunken migrant vessel.  The scene was a gruesome one and the trauma of the incident triggered significant issues. 

The officers ultimately ‘departed’ the Force, unable to cope.  Unfortunately, the safety net was inadequate and the outcome was less than desirable.  Families give us their finest sons and daughters and after their service, after injury, after the damage- how do we fail to provide adequate support and care?

Madam Speaker, today, our officers are charged with patrolling and protecting our waters.  We send them out there and ask them to respond to whatever they find. 

From economic migrants to fisherman opening fire, to our war on drugs- these men and women are the front line in this Country’s defence.

In sending our forces out, we must continue to ensure that should any of them pay the ultimate price, or otherwise suffers physical or mental trauma, the officers and/or their families are adequately cared for. 

“Bahamians, this of you be said, that you who live are worthy of your dead. These gave their lives that you who live, may reap a richer harvest, ere you fall asleep.”

We must continually work to ensure that this statement remains true.  There are past failures that must be made right and this government is committed to doing all it can to support our uniformed forces. We will be measured by our actions and not our words!

Madam Speaker, may God continue to bless, preserve and keep the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this most important and long overdue move to further honour the nineteen crew members of the HMBS Flamingo and in particular:
• Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup;
• Marine Seaman David Tucker;
• Marine Seaman Edward Williams; and 
• Marine Seaman Austin Smith  
In doing so, I recall the words engraved on the Cenotaph in the heart of this City:
“Bahamians, this of you be said,
that you who live are worthy of your dead.
These gave their lives that you who live,
may reap a richer harvest, ere you fall asleep.”
Madam Speaker, today it is almost impossible for this generation to fathom the events which took place in May, 1980 when our peaceful Country was the victim of an unprovoked horrific attack.  To place the attack in its context, The Bahamas was less than a decade old and the Pindling administration saw the need for a Defence Force.  This move proved controversial in some quarters. However, the Pindling administration pressed on.  Some of our finest sons were recruited to form this new Force and in spite of all the challenges, the Defence Force was created.
The events of May 10, 1980 took place within weeks of the Force’s creation - weeks Madam Speaker.  This attack was not an accidental sinking but a horrific unacceptable incursion on our sovereignty.
Madam Speaker, the records show that: 
• In the first attack, two Cuban military MiG fighter jets buzzed HMBS Flamingo firing their machine guns to the side and directly in front of HMBS Flamingo.
• About forty five minutes later, the jets returned and began a second assault of rockets and machine gun fire hitting the ship. Whilst our men desperately sought to escape the vessel, the jets returned, shelling the surrounding waters with machine gun fire and tearing apart the two lifeboats. 
• After the MiG fighter jets disappeared, a military helicopter remained in the area until the Flamingo was completely sunk.
• The attack continued the following day when Cuban jet fighters along with a large long range transport aircraft and a helicopter carried out simulated attacks and landed in Duncan Town terrorizing the community for over three hours.
Madam Speaker, I can recall my aunt Portia Taylor, then an operator at BTC- well Batelco (when island to island calls required operator assistance).  Aunt Portia still recalls the many calls received from Ragged Islanders in a complete panic from the Cuban attack on their island.  It was only when US fighter jets were sent to the area that the attack ended.  These were truly scary times.
The attack was of such significance that it was the top story on the front page of the New York Times and I would like to table the article. 
Madam Speaker, I have sought to briefly outline the key elements of the attack because it is important for the record that we acknowledge that this was no ordinary event and Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup; Marine Seaman David Tucker; Marine Seaman Edward Williams; and Marine Seaman Austin Smith were no ordinary men.  Nor were their colleagues.  Indeed, the bravery of the survivors in the aftermath of the tragedy demonstrated that those who lived, proved themselves worthy of their dead.
What is notable to me Madam Speaker, is that even though they were attacked, their vessels destroyed, their colleagues killed, the surviving members of the Flamingo’s crew did not abort their mission and returned to Ragged Island with the prisoners.
Madam Speaker, over the next days and weeks following the attack, I believe every Bahamian mother cried and wept and prayed as though their very own son was missing at sea. This was a particularly significant as the attack and the death of the marines occurred on the Mother’s Day weekend.  
Madam Speaker, I could recall all our Churches and Pastors opening their church doors for continuous prayers for the fallen men, their families and the nation. Here we were, a few years from Independence – under attack.  What did this mean for us?
Well - at our darkest hour, came an absolute resolve.  This Nation and its people would stand and if necessary, fight.  Bahamians were and remain united in our resolve to protect and preserve the territorial integrity of The Bahamas. 
The bravery of the crew of the Flamingo was inspirational and I can recall feeling like I too could take on the world.  A few years later just after my 18th birthday, I joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force committed to serve.
Today a grateful nation salutes and honours 19 of its finest sons.  The bravery of the Flamingo’s captain, crew and the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen are a foundational symbol of our nation’s story.  The attack and valiant response of our marines are a seminal moment in our history whose importance cannot be understated.
Madam Speaker, we remember them, the survivors of the HMBS Flamingo and the many officers who work continuously and tirelessly to protect and preserve the territorial sovereignty of The Bahamas.  
Madam Speaker, I began with the inscription on the Cenotaph.  Now I pose the question - are we who live truly worthy of our dead?  Today, there are so many instances where persons in our uniformed Forces have paid far too high a price for serving and insufficient has been done to help and support them and their families.
I recall:
• On the 5th August, 1994, the HMBS Montague intercepted two Honduran Fishing vessels with some 120 Honduran Fisherman onboard. As darkness fell, the Fishermen became hostile and having broken away from the HMBS Montague, kidnapped:
• Able Seaman Anthony Archer
• Marine Mechanic Solomon McKenzie
• Able Mechanic Sean Rolle
• Able Seaman Lorenzo Carey
The Officers were threatened with death, tied up and held at knife point. The hostile Honduran Fishermen held these men captive for more than a week before arriving with them in Honduras. The Officers were subsequently released and returned to The Bahamas. 
• On 13th June, 2016, the crew of HMBS Cascarilla was forced to return fire at a fishing vessel registered in the Dominican Republic after being fired upon first by the crew of that vessel near the Great Bahama Bank.
• On 10th November, 2018, DOMINICAN poachers engaged the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in a shoot-out on the high seas before more than 100 of them were arrested.
• On 5th September, 2021, HMBS BAHAMAS, under the command of Senior Lieutenant Alexis Brown, was rammed following the hostile interception of a Dominican fishing vessel. 
Madam Speaker, the risks to our uniformed officers goes far beyond physical threats. 
I think of Leading Seaman Jeffrey Gibson who lost his life at sea when the Dominican vessel that was intercepted and being towed by the RBDF capsized and sank with him being trapped on-board.
I think of young marine seaman Anfrenee Brett Neely who lost his life at sea when the RBDF vessel on which they were traveling hit an object and he was ejected to his untimely demise.
I think of Marine Seaman Fisher and all the others, hardworking dedicated Officers asked to undertake a number of dives to assist in the retrieval of bodies after an incident involving a sunken migrant vessel.  The scene was a gruesome one and the trauma of the incident triggered significant issues. 
The officers ultimately ‘departed’ the Force, unable to cope.  Unfortunately, the safety net was inadequate and the outcome was less than desirable.  Families give us their finest sons and daughters and after their service, after injury, after the damage- how do we fail to provide adequate support and care?
Madam Speaker, today, our officers are charged with patrolling and protecting our waters.  We send them out there and ask them to respond to whatever they find. 
From economic migrants to fisherman opening fire, to our war on drugs- these men and women are the front line in this Country’s defence.
In sending our forces out, we must continue to ensure that should any of them pay the ultimate price, or otherwise suffers physical or mental trauma, the officers and/or their families are adequately cared for. 
“Bahamians, this of you be said, that you who live are worthy of your dead. These gave their lives that you who live, may reap a richer harvest, ere you fall asleep.”
We must continually work to ensure that this statement remains true.  There are past failures that must be made right and this government is committed to doing all it can to support our uniformed forces. We will be measured by our actions and not our words!
Madam Speaker, may God continue to bless, preserve and keep the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
 Sponsored Ads