NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In celebration of the maritime community and to commemorate its 10th anniversary, Arawak Port Development (APD) will host The Bahamas’ first ever Maritime Festival on May 11 at the Nassau Container Port, Arawak Cay.
The event will take place from noon to 10pm and promises to be a fun-filled day of entertainment and education for the entire family.
According to Mike Maura Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of APD, this landmark festival is an opportunity for the port community, including the Government agencies affiliated with maritime industry, to highlight the various services that are offered and allow valued stakeholders to showcase and promote their maritime initiatives.
“As we sat and reflected on 10 impactful and wonderful years here at the Nassau Container Port, we’re reminded every day that our success here at APD is very much part of the hard work, the dedication and commitment of all our maritime partners and stakeholders. We would not be as good as we are without working hand in hand with our partners,” said Mr. Maura.
“We’re taking this opportunity on May 11 to celebrate our maritime space and to introduce this essential sector to the wider community. The Bahamian maritime industry offers so much and on May 11 the public will be introduced to career possibilities throughout the private sector, government and NGO maritime areas, and hopefully leave better educated on this important national asset,” he added.
The festival will feature a wide variety of maritime operators, national security services and environmental agents. Each organization will present its vital purpose, unique history and plans for the future. This event is free to the public and all are encouraged to come out and meet representatives from the Bahamas National Trust, BREEF, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Bahamas Customs, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Health, Bahamas Maritime Authority, LJM Maritime Academy, MSC, Tropical Shipping, Abaco Shipping, RORO Company and many more.
Attendees will also be able to tour the shipping companies’ container vessels and learn about how they operate, and board a Royal Bahamas Defense Force vessel, while its Commando Squadron will conduct a live demonstration and its band will provide entertainment. Other stakeholders like The Royal Bahamas Police Marine Unit will conduct demonstrations on the water and the Bahamas Customs Department will give attendees an intimate look at its operations.
Other festival highlights will include a kid’s activity corner, helicopter landing courtesy of the United States Coast Guard and OPBAT, and live entertainment by popular acts like Lady E; Ira Storr and the Spank Band; Willis & the Illest; Thrive 2 XL Band from Queens College; and the Gerald Cash Rake N’ Scrape Band. DJ AI will also take part in the event as well as local artists Allan Pachino Wallace and Stefan Legend. The festival will also include a wide variety of food and drinks for all.
Committed to environmental stewardship, APD has made its festival green—restricting the use of single-use plastic and Styrofoam at the festival site. “We are extremely focused and dedicated to our marine environment and trying to make what we do better for our country and safer for our country,” Mr. Maura explained.
For every person that attends the festival, APD will make a donation to three local charities: LJM Maritime Academy; Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers Youth Program; and Bahamas Reef Environment & Educational Foundation (BREEF).
