Grand Bahama Shipyard, Resolve Marine help restore water to Grand

Resolve Marine’s water purifying plant

In a separate effort, Fort Lauderdale-based Resolve Marine Group deployed a critical response barge to transport a water purifying plant to Freeport that can produce 5,000 gallons of potable water daily. Resolve also has performed surveys of Freeport Harbor and other good works.

Grand Bahama Utility Co. support

Dorian damaged Grand Bahama Utility Co. systems, and the company has been working to inspect, test, repair and restore equipment needed to resume regular water service from its plant, which extracts and purifies water from well fields. The ongoing process to restore equipment is enabling the ‘re-charging’ of pipes zone by zone on the island.

Grand Bahama Shipyard — with the commitment of shareholders Carnival Corp. & plc, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Grand Bahama Port Authority — assisted in providing power generation restoration to the utility, sending shipyard technicians to help recharge the water plant and pipes, and repairing and replacing electric motors and pumps. This is accelerating the return of water service.

‘We recognize the critical importance of restarting fresh water supply to homes and businesses across Grand Bahama Island,’ said Geron Turnquest, general manager for Grand Bahama Utility Co. ‘We started distribution to the Freeport area, moving west from Water Plants No. 1 and No. 6. We have supplied several areas with water for “sanitary purposes” only, and we aim to provide service out to West End this week.’

Thanks to the assistance from Grand Bahama Shipyard, Bahama Rock, BIT and others, the utility has been able to accelerate repairs and start resuming basic services.

Areas located toward East End and others are being assessed. ‘We are inviting more help in this regard, and we hope to build and provide a stronger, better utility service as we work together to rebuild, restore and recover,’ Turnquest said.

Shipyard workers pitch in

‘Fortunately, we were able to provide support with critical equipment and technical assistance to our friends at the utility company,’ said Marvin Basden, head of health, safety, security, environment and quality for Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Shipyard employees are supporting multiple recovery efforts, including the distribution of essential aid by The Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency, providing mobile light and power generation equipment to East Grand Bahama and creating ‘flying squads’ of shipyard volunteers to assist where needed.

This includes a 40-person team sent to clean up and clear debris from six impacted schools, ensuring the buildings and classrooms are clean and safe for students to return.

Carnival Ecstasy docking up next

Last week, with the arrival of its first commercial vessel for repair work, the shipyard resumed operations, and another vessel was expected this week. Planning remains on track for the next cruise docking, of Carnival Ecstasy, on Oct. 5. The ongoing work by the shipyard and its employees, along with its partners and suppliers, will generate important and sustained economic activity for Grand Bahama.

Resolve Marine’s wide-ranging response

The plant shipped by Resolve Marine Group consists of three reverse osmosis water purifiers and all support systems. This will deliver potable water to impacted areas and reduce the reliance on water in plastic bottles, lessening waste throughout the Bahamas.

The ability to send the relief barge directly to Freeport Harbor resulted from Resolve Marine Group’s dedicated 24-hour Hurricane Dorian response team, which identified the impacted area’s immediate and potential needs. While Dorian was still active, Resolve and its response partners activated a vessel and hydrographic survey team.

Hydrographic and aerial surveys

In the Bahamas, the hydrographic survey team immediately conducted a survey of Freeport Harbor to enable clearance of the harbor’s entrance for other relief and emergency response vessels. In addition, Resolve deployed a drone and helicopter aerial survey team to assess critical infrastructure needs and provide impact documentation to clients, partners and government agencies.

The various surveys enabled the Port of Freeport to reopen for emergency traffic quickly once Dorian left the area.

Resolve said It will continue operating throughout the Bahamas chain in support of relief efforts wherever feasible, potentially transporting food, supplies and materials needed in the hard-hit communities. The company’s humanitarian subsidiary, Mission Resolve, has already provided resources and offered aid workers temporary housing and support services where possible.

Springing into action

‘We have been through so many of these disasters, being one of the first teams to respond. Therefore, we did not need to wait for the calls for help. We knew what to expect,’ said Joe Farrell Jr., president/CEO, Resolve Marine Group,

‘We began immediate response planning, knowing that our smallest actions would alleviate the suffering of many. The Resolve Marine Group and Mission Resolve have been fortunate to have so many private partners and assets reach out to us as we move forward in the Bahamas’ recovery.’

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