April 30, 2015
Today we were privileged to attend the commissioning service for a new Bahamas Royal Defence Force ship "HMBS (Her Majesty's Bahamian Ship) Rolly Gray" at Emerald Bay Marina.
The Defence Force is the Bahamas' sole armed service. It is primarily a navy, but each ship has a complement of marines.
Rolly Gray was a legendary Bahamian sloop sailor from nearby Staniel Cay. He was instrumental in starting the National Family Island Regatta and dominated the races for many years, primarily on 'Tida Wave', the boat that just won the "A" Class series.
Rolly was also a mail boat captain transporting mail and supplies to the out islands. For many years he was the Captain of "MV Grand Master", whose name is also a title bestowed on Rolly for his sloop sailing prowess.
"HMBS Rolly Gray" was built in Holland and is the fourth of her class. Two of her sister ships were present in the marina for the ceremony. In total the Bahamian government is presently adding 9 ships to their fleet - a serious commitment to security.
Although we have experienced it in the past, it is striking how spiritual a Bahamanian government ceremony can be - this was a full-blown worship service with scripture readings, hymns, and prayers. A part of the ceremony that jumped out was in the Captain's 'charge' to the ship's company:
Commanding Officer: I call upon you to pray for God's blessing on this ship. May God the Father bless her.
Ship's Company: Bless our ship.
Commanding Officer: May Jesus Christ bless her.
Ship's Company: Bless our ship.
Commanding Officer: May Jesus Christ bless her.
Ship's Company: Bless our ship.
Following are some pictures from the ceremony. Disclaimer - many of the photos were taken at a 'practice': we wanted to be respectful during the actual service. You can tell by the uniforms - dress whites for the actual event.
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| "HMBS Rolly Gray" |
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| "HMBS Rolly Gray"at flank/full speed |
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| Ship's Insignia |
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| Honor Guard |
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| Honor Guard 'Spacing' |
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| Presenting Honors |
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| Crewman preparing to raise National Ensign for the 'first time' during the playing of the National Anthem |
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| Bahamian Ensign Flying |
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| Sister Ship - "HMBS Durward Knowles" |
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| Sister Ship "HMBS Leon Livingstone Smith" Note crewman polishing name plate |
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| All three sister ships at dock Impressive Sight! |
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| Ship's Company receiving dignitaries |
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| Governor-General Dame Marguerite Pindling |
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| Prime Minister Perry Christie |
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Staniel Cay School Children |
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| Prime Minister Christie posing with school children |
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| Patriotic turtle doing some bottom cleaning on Durward Knowles |
We were glad that we were able to extend our stay here to witness the commissioning.
Hopefully on Saturday (5/2) we will leave Emerald Bay and head north to Black Point in the Exuma Cays.
Tom
Docked Emerald Bay Marina
Awesome. A proud Navy and impressive crew.
ReplyDeleteAn odd question for you if you've the time. Thinking of vacationing in your neck of the woods in the Fall. Guidance would be appreciated as would direction to a solid Calvinist church while we are there.
Exuma is a great destination - I am sure you will enjoy it if you come.
ReplyDeleteMostly Baptist, Anglican, and Church of God churches in the Bahamas.