NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The commanding officer and crew of Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship LEON LIVINGSTON SMITH, along with the vessel, and two marines of Majesty’s Bahamian Ship BAHAMAS, were recently recognized for their outstanding performance during the year.
The recognition was in keeping with the Commander Defence Force Commodore Raymond King’s strategic intent of developing a professional and high-performance workforce focused on rewarding excellence in the workplace, according to statements released by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF).
During the first ceremony on December 18, 2020 at RBDF Headquarters, John F Kennedy Drive, Senior Lieutenant Alexis Brown and his crew received top marks for a banner year among the RBDF fleet.
In providing border protection and patrolling the territorial waters of The Bahamas, the vessel accumulated both the highest total number of patrols and time spent on the high seas for the year 2020.
The crew of HMBS LEON L SMITH was presented with certificates from King, who expressed his gratitude to them for their stellar performances.
“As I congratulate you, I want you to know that your success is a representation to the organization, your country and the international partners towards the peace and tranquility we sustain,” the commodore said.
“You have responded to the many activities during the year, which included the pandemic, border security, as well as protection from illicit activities. The entire squadron fleet is to be commended, and I wish that you continue to be a pacesetter.”
The RBDF’s statement read: “HMBS LEON LIVINGSTON SMITH was the third of nine vessels to be added to the RBDF fleet under the Bahamas government’s patrol craft acquisition project.
“Commissioned on September 19, 2014, the vessel is named in honor of the first Bahamian commodore who led the organization from 1983 to 1997.”
In the second ceremony, on December 23, also at RBDF Headquarters, Able Mechanic Valentino Romer and Woman Marine Cyndera Parker were honored as the most outstanding engineer and seaman respectively for the craft.
A separate RBDF statement read: “An energetic and efficient worker, Romer continues to perform his duties at a consistent level, and Parker has also shown extreme diligence and reliability in the various areas of the ship to which she has been assigned.”
King presented letters of commendation and certificates to the awardees, and in congratulating both recipients on their achievements, he also commended them for remarkable efforts — as they executed their duties despite the adversities and challenges throughout the year, and encouraged them to remain professional at all times.
