cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 14-21 April 2022 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 14-21 April 2022 Page 3 Chief offi cer's resignation linked to Bush scandal Easter campers hit the beach Page 5 “The” Chicken SandwichMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. BEAST (TAMIL) (PG) (FRI, SAT & MON) 2:50 | 6:15 (TUES - THURS) 3:15 | 6:15 (SUN) 3:15 | 6:40 FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE (PG-13) (FRI, SAT & MON) 12:40 VIP | 12:45 | 3:10 VIP | 3:35 | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:30 VIP | 9:55 (TUES) 3:30 VIP | 3:35 | 6:45 | 9:30 VIP | 9:55 (WED & THURS) 3:30 VIP | 3:35 | 6:45 | 7:00VIP | 9:30 VIP | 9:55 (SUN) 3:30 VIP | 3:35 | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 VIP | 9:55 MORBIUS (PG-13) (FRI & MON) 12:15 | 4:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:45 VIP | 10:00 (TUES) 4:00 VIP | 10:00 (WED & THURS) 4:00 VIP | 7:15 VIP | 10:00 | 10:10 VIP (SUN) 12:15 | 4:00 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 | 10:10 VIP SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 (PG) (FRI, SAT & MON) 12:15 VIP | 12:20 | 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 7:10 | 9:40 | 9:55 VIP (TUES) 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 7:10 | 10:00 (WED & THURS) 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 7:10 | 9:55 VIP | 10:00 (SUN) 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 7:10 | 9:55 VIP | 10:00 THE BATMAN (FRI & MON) 1:00 VIP | 3:00 | 9:15 (TUES-THURS) 3:15 | 9:30 (SAT) 1:00 VIP | 3:00 (SUN) 3:15 | 9:30 THE BAD GUYS (FRI & MON) 12:20 | 4:45 VIP | 6:45 (TUES-THURS) 4:45 VIP | 7:00 (SAT) 12:20 | 4:45 VIP (SUN) 4:45 VIP | 7:00 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB CARS 3 SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) KIDS CLUB THE LION KING SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) CLASSICS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) CULTURE NO MAN’S LAND SATURDAY 8PM (R18) FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER LIVING EDITOR VICKI WHEATON HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCHGILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots. 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW Stipend recipients’ email addresses accidentally released The email addresses of more than 3,000 people receiving the government’s monthly tourism stipend were accidentally released by the Ministry of Border Control and Labour on 12 April. The ministry in a statement that afternoon acknowledged that the data breach had occurred, saying a mass email sent to 3,329 individuals receiving the displaced tourism workers’ stipend to notify them of this month’s payment date “inadvertently displayed the email addresses of all recipients”. The ministry said the breach was due to human error, and it has reported the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman. “An apology was sent to all email recipients advising them of the breach and notifying them that the Ministry is making procedural changes to avoid such situations in the future,” the statement said. Butterfi eld combines Governors Square and Camana Bay branches Butterfi eld Bank has announced it will consolidate its Camana Bay and Governors Square operations, with plans to enlarge its branch in Camana Bay. The Governors Square Banking Centre, which is currently closed, will not reopen, the bank said in a statement issued on 12 April. Mike McWatt, managing director of Butterfield in Cayman, said in the statement, “With growth at Camana Bay, we have made a strategic decision to focus on and expand our presence there to benefit clients. “Staff previously at Governors Square have already been redeployed and we will be increasing our client service team at our Camana Bay Banking Centre.” Missing boaters found Three boaters, who experienced engine trouble while at sea, were located safe and sound, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service confi rmed on 12 April. The RCIPS said in a statement that all three had been accounted for and the vessel had been recovered. Police said that, shortly after 7:30pm on Monday, 11 April, they received a report of a vessel in distress in the North Sound. It was reported that the 14- foot aluminum boat had engine trouble and was drifting with one person on board, while two other people had entered the water. The Coast Guard responded and began a search in the area where the vessel was last seen drifting, assisted by members of the community and the police helicopter. "With the assistance of family members, it was established that the vessel had drifted across the North Sound and came ashore in the vicinity of the Holiday Inn. The RCIPS helicopter confi rmed the presence of the vessel and offi cers from the RCIPS made contact with the gentleman who had been aboard," police said. Emergency services attended the scene where the vessel came ashore and examined the man who was found to be in good health. The other two individuals who went into the water were also located, police said. DoE urges travellers to protect Sister Islands from coral disease The Department of Environment is advising people travelling over the Easter break to help prevent the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease from spreading to the Sister Islands. While the disease, which can quickly kill the hard corals that form the foundation of many reefs, has not yet reached the Sister Islands, it can now be found all around Grand Cayman, having first been spotted there in June 2020. The DoE is urging those travelling from Grand Cayman to ensure that, if they are bringing their own watersport or fi shing equipment with them, they disinfect their gear before landing in the Sister Islands. Alternatively, they can hire equipment locally once they arrive. The department is also advising boat operators taking their vessels to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac to disinfect their boat bilges. In a press release issued on 12 April, the DoE said, “SCTLD is an extremely contagious coral disease that has spread completely around Grand Cayman’s reefs in just over a year, leaving millions of dead corals in its wake throughout the Caribbean. But thankfully, it has not yet reached either of the Sister Islands so we still have time to protect them.” CINICO expands insurance coverage The Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO) is planning to expand its health insurance coverage to more people and add new property and casualty insurance business lines. Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Chris Saunders said in a press release that expanding CINICO’s health coverage would reduce costs, provide healthcare to more people and respond to the “pleas of uninsured and under-insured Caymanians and residents that have gone un- answered for far too long”. CINICO is the government- owned health insurer for 10,200 public servants and pensioners, 1,100 seafarers and veterans, 1,800 indigents and 2,000 members of the Standard Health Insurance Contract (SHIC) plan. The plan is for CINICO to fi rst expand health insurance services to a wider population through developing affordable health insurance plans for younger and healthier residents, followed by a plan for retirees. CINICO will also offer a health insurance option to public servants allowing for a choice of health care providers, which will require the establishment of a local provider network, government said. Other short-term expansion plans include providing property and casualty insurance, covering residential and auto, to public sector employees and their families. A diver administers an antibiotic paste to a stony coral tissue loss disease-infected coral in East End. - Photo: Ocean Frontiers news in brief cayman compass 2 N news THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022Chief Officer Michael Ebanks raised red flag RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky As the fallout from Bernie Bush’s removal as minister of home affairs continues, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has confirmed a resignation letter from acting Chief Officer Michael Ebanks prompted the sanctioning of the West Bay North MP. Bush was replaced as home affairs minister and put on two weeks’ leave without pay over actions he took relating to management in the Fire Service department which violated the Constitution and Ministerial Code of Conduct, Premier Wayne Panton announced late on Sunday night, 10 April. This is the first time a minister has been reprimanded under the Ministerial Code of Conduct which government adopted in July last year. Manderson, in response to Cayman Compass queries on 13 April about whether Ebanks’ resignation was connected to Bush being stripped of his ministerial role, confirmed that matters raised in Ebanks’ resignation letter had been reported to the premier, who subsequently removed Bush as home affairs minister. Bush, who will stay on as head of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, apologised for this actions and accepted the censure, saying, “This has been a valuable lesson for me and I accept the consequence of my actions. The Premier continues to have my full confidence and support. The deputy governor said Ebanks wrote to him on 6 April, requesting that he be relieved of his responsibilities as chief officer earlier than his planned departure at the end of May. He asked that his departure date be brought forward to 6 May, and set out “clear reasons for his decision which merited the attention of the Premier who then took action. Mr. Ebanks is currently on vacation leave,” Manderson said in an emailed response. He is set to return from vacation on 20 April. Ebanks’ resignation letter has not been released. The premier, in the 10 April statement, said the change in the West Bay North MP’s portfolio followed his recent “infringements of Section 55 of the Constitution and breaches to two sections of the Ministerial Code of Conduct”. In an interview with Cayman News Service earlier this month, while acknowledging that government ministers have no say in human resources issues for the civil service, Bush said he had put a stop to what he described as “unacceptable bonuses” being paid to fire chief Paul Walker to train Caymanians, which he argued should have been part of Walker’s job anyway. However, he noted that ministers control funding and indicated he used this power to end the payments. Panton, in his statement said, “Minister Bush’s conduct and comments in relation to the staffing of the Fire Service are infringements of Section 55 of the Constitution and breach Section 2.4 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. Furthermore, other comments he made as Minister contravene Section 2.6.3 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.” Section 55 of the Constitution gives the governor sole authority for the terms of employment of public officers, including salaries and bonuses. Section 2.4 of the Ministerial Code of Practice states that members are “required to observe the Cayman Islands Constitution, all other relevant law, including but not limited to the Standards in Public Life Act… and the Anti- Corruption Act”, while Section 2.6.3 of the code deals with the objectivity of a government minister, and states: “Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.” Health Minister Sabrina Turner has been sworn in as the new minister for home affairs, which covers fire, prison and other uniformed services. While Bush is on temporary required leave from his role as ministry of youth, sports, culture and heritage, East End MP Isaac Rankine is taking over that role until 1 May. Bush has been on official business since 12 April and will commence his two weeks of unpaid leave on 18 April. How we got here The reshuffle in portfolios comes days short of the anniversary of the PACT government’s first year in office. As chief officer, Ebanks oversaw strategy, policy, operations and the administration of the ministry of home affairs since taking up his appointment in May last year. Bush, in his Cayman News Service interview, had also asserted that he refused to sign off on funding for a UK trip for Walker with Chief Fire Officer-in-waiting Randy Rankin. In addition to losing the home affairs portfolio, the premier also required Bush to apologise for his conduct to Governor Martyn Roper, Manderson and Ebanks. However, he expressed confidence in Bush’s ability to continue to serve in his capacity as a government minister, saying, “I believe Minister Bush can make a substantial contribution to the good of our country in the areas of youth, sports, culture and heritage. These subjects align well with his interests and experience and his passion. I am optimistic that the unfortunate events of the past will bear no reflection on his future performance,” he said. Governor, deputy support premier’s action Roper and Manderson say they both support Panton’s decision in sanctioning Bush. The governor, in an 11 April statement, urged all elected representatives to “fully respect the separation of powers”. “It is crucial to the good functioning of our democracy that Ministers respect the constitutional boundaries and separation of powers. Section 55 of the Constitution states clearly that public service appointments and civil service issues are the Governor’s responsibility, a power that is largely delegated to the Deputy Governor as Head of the Civil Service,” Roper said. The governor pointed out that Cayman’s good governance rests on full observance of the Constitution. “Ministers have a responsibility to act with integrity and to uphold the highest standards of behaviour towards everyone in our community, in particular, our civil servants with whom they work closely. For its part, the civil service will continue to do its utmost to implement Ministers’ objectives and policies,” he said. Citing an example, Roper stated that ministers “who use their position to influence which individual is selected for public service roles would be infringing on the Constitution and represents political interference”. Manderson, in the joint statement, pointed out that, as head of the Civil Service, he has responsibility to ensure all staff feel respected and valued in the workplace. “I take these responsibilities seriously and when concerns are brought to my attention, as in this case, I will take action as set out in the Public Service Management Act. It is also my duty to ensure that the Civil Service remains apolitical. Now that action has been taken to address the serious concerns raised by civil servants, I will ensure that the Civil Service continues to serve the Elected Government and work to make the lives of those we serve better,” he added. Bernie Bush stripped of Home Affairs Ministry “This has been a valuable lesson for me and I accept the consequence of my actions. The Premier continues to have my full confidence and support.” – Bernie Bush, West Bay North MP and sports minister FYI How the process of removing a minister works: Following an allegation of a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, the premier, in consultation with the attorney general and the Cabinet secretary, determines whether the allegation warrants further investigation, and informs the government of the matter. The code states that if a minister is the subject of an official investigation “into a matter or case of serious impropriety or alleged illegal behaviour of a serious nature”, the premier may require that minister go on leave, and the governor, following advice from the premier, can appoint a Member of Parliament to be a temporary minister or assign another minister to take up leadership of the ministry. It also notes that “Ministers are required to act lawfully and to behave in a way that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards. Ultimately, Ministers are accountable to the Premier for their conduct and may, in accordance with the Constitution, have their appointment revoked or Ministerial responsibilities reassigned.” Bernie Ebanks has been removed as the minister of home affairs. Acting Home Affairs Chief Officer Michael Ebanks opted to move up his departure from the Civil Service. It was through his resignation letter that Premier Wayne Panton took action to remove Bernie Bush as home affairs minister. cayman compass 3 news N news THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 20221234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Clearly expressed (5) 4 Return to health (7) 8 Spirit distilled from molasses (3) 9 Humbly (3,2,4) 10 Vexation (7) 11 Attempt (5) 13 Type of sponge (6) 15 In the end (2,4) 18 Be equal to (5) 19 According to the rules (2,5) 21 On the credit side (2,3,4) 23 Play on words (3) 24 A fabrication (7) 25 Spacious (5) DOWN 1 Enthusiastic (7) 2 Happen (4,5) 3 Stage setting (5) 4 Feel regret (6) 5 To dispute (7) 6 By way of (3) 7 Healthily red (5) 12 Face courageously (5,2,2) 14 Accomplish (7) 16 Oppressive rule (7) 17 Become extinct (3,3) 18 Distinctive decorative design (5) 20 Senior (5) 22 A children’s game (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16979 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16979 ACROSS: 1 Lucid, 4 Recover, 8 Rum, 9 Cap in hand, 10 Chagrin, 11 Essay, 13 Loofah, 15 At last, 18 Match, 19 In order, 21 To the good, 23 Pun, 24 Figment, 25 Roomy. DOWN: 1 Lyrical, 2 Come about, 3 Decor, 4 Repent, 5 Contest, 6 Via, 7 Ruddy, 12 Stand up to, 14 Achieve, 16 Tyranny, 17 Die out, 18 Motif, 20 Older, 22 Tag. The other day, I was witness to two very young girls flying around the beach, arms out like birds, singing over and over again at the top of their voices, “Let it go! Let it go!” They seemed to me to embody so much joy that I stood rooted, captivated, and just watched those tiny souls race the breeze. “Wow,” I thought. “Now, there’s a lesson.” I’ve been contemplating those lyrics from the song in the Disney film, ‘Frozen’, ever since, and what that lesson might be. According to Mr. Google, this Academy Award-winning song has had an astonishing 160 million views so that’s a lot of lessons, as varied as each person who hears the song. For the wee girls flying along on the beach, it seemed to me to be a declaration of empowerment and freedom – the song itself repeats over and over “I’m free!” and indeed they were at that precious moment. What a way to start their lives. And yet, and yet… I’ve just watched a YouTube piece of a little Ukrainian girl in a bomb shelter, filled with families, singing this song in her language. The crowd was silenced, rooted and captivated. They burst into applause when she was done. What a way to start her life, their lives. Others who know the lyrics might identify with another line in the song: “I’m never going back, the past is in the past.” Letting go of something in the past, if it clouds the present with anger, sorrow or regret, can bring great freedom to the present moment if it is released. To be ourself is ceasing to identify with content, that is whatever we perceive, experience, do, think or feel now, or in the past. That’s stuff. That’s content. That’s not who we are. Another lesson from the song is in the lines, “No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I’m free!”. Those words would surely have struck a note in my teens, but now the lyrics make me nervous when I consider the world situation, particularly in Ukraine. In our recent world history, rejection of established norms, that is relativism – and finding liberation in it was a key element in Nazism. Relativism, according to the dictionary, is the doctrine that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society or historical context, and are not absolute. Belief in relativism and anti- establishment attitudes were also key to the beliefs of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin. Elsa, the princess who caused eternal winter in her kingdom with her inability to control her powers, sings, “Let it go. Turn away and slam the door. I don’t care what they’re going to say. Let the storm rage on,” and follows with “It’s time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me.” Yikes. These words, this situation, sure hits home these days. Three little girls, a sandy beach, a bomb shelter, singing “Let it go!” What wisdom comes from our youth when we pause and consider what it is we’ve become, and what it is we can or should let go. Faye Lippitt Government eases quarantine restrictions for some travellers From the Royal Caribbean website regarding COVID testing before boarding a ship leav- ing from a US port: “Vaccinated guests must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day.” So my big question is: When will the Cayman Islands government allow people arriving by air to test two days before flying in? Let’s face it – by the time the ship is in port in Grand Cayman it has been two to three or even... four days since passengers were tested. What is the point in continuing to require a test one day before arriving by air? What’s the point in requiring any test? – Beth Freeman Now if we could just get gov- ernment to do away with all the mask mandates…! – Raven Griffin Solomon Has anyone heard when gov- ernment will allow unvaccinated tourism travellers? So many Caribbean islands and Mexico are allowing unvaccinated tourists as long as they take a test before arriving. Until they do that, I don’t see tourism returning to pre-COVID levels. – Darcy Franklin Ritter Whittling away at restrictions. I hope in a few months all restric- tions will be lifted and life can go back to normal. – Micky Ackley-Webster Bernie Bush removed as home affairs minister There is an accountability problem in the Cayman Islands. As voters, we want to hold our political representatives ac- countable for the failures of the government. However, our representatives keep saying that they can’t do anything about the failures of the government and that the changes that need to be made are out of their control and above their pay grade. Who then is responsible and who can the voters of the Cayman Islands hold accountable for the clear and evident failures and incompetence? – Bruce Smith Keeps his ministerial salary with half the work load? Well played, Bernie. – James Miller Wayne Panton, MP for New- lands, what of the other Bush’s behaviours? Your interest to up- hold a Code of Conduct becomes more comical by every day of your willful behaviour of silence. – Taura Ebanks Big interview: Premier seeks to tackle 'existential threat' of climate change So when is this government going to do something about the lack of sand on Seven Mile Beach? It is only getting worse. Build a wall and fill it with sand to replace the lost sand. It was there before so it is not destroying anything to replace it. It is only go to get more expensive the longer it takes. – Bruce Leibowitz Panton: ‘serious revamp’ needed at OfReg To be clear, while the Cayman Renewable Energy Association (CREA) ‘may’ have differing views on the future of energy in Cayman than the local utility; it should be noted that CREA’s views are in lock step with country’s National Energy Policy, which provides equal focus on accelerating rooftop solar, utility scale solar, energy efficiency and carbon emissions reductions to meet our policy targets. – James Whittaker, president, CREA When to ‘let it go’ Under the latest updated COVID-19 regulations, airline passengers whose vaccination certificates cannot be securely verified will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival. What they’re saying OnlineLetters to the editor cayman compass 4 news N news THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022cayman compass 5 news N news THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022 People have been staking out their spots and putting up their tents on Cayman’s beaches as they prepare for a long weekend camping on the sand, starting Friday, 15 April. This annual Easter ritual goes back generations, with one family in these photos spending the holiday on the beach for the last 35 years. While campers these days come fully equipped for cooking and sleeping, having family fun outdoors remains unchanged. in focus Easter on the beach - Photos: Taneos Ramsay Isabella Giddings with her nanny Haydee Dela Cruz and baby sister Amaya. Daniel Cimring sits with Julian Cohen in a tent they pitched on Governors Beach. The Ramoon family has a long tradition of Easter camping on South Sound. Rows of tents along Governors Beach. Daphine Watson preparing her grill.NEW URGENT CARE CLINIC www.hsa.ky 345-949-8600 The Health Services Authority has relocated General Practice & Public Health Clinics to Smith Road Medical Centre, 2nd Floor. General Practice & Public Health Clinics by appointment. Phlebotomy Lab services also available at the new location. HSA SERVICES HAVE MOVED TO SMITH ROAD MEDICAL CENTRE The new Urgent Care “walk-in clinic” is located at the Cayman Islands Hospital main campus (entrance in atrium). Opening Hours Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm Saturday 8:30am – 1pm Persons with flu-like symptoms (cough and colds), non-emergent illnesses and injuries, including mild sprains and cuts, should visit the new Urgent Care location. cayman compass 6 THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022cayman compass 7 THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022Inspector Neil Mohammed is set to take over as head of the RCIPS Air Operations Unit. - Photo: Alvaro Serey RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Newly promoted Inspector Neil Mohammed, who is set to take over as head of the Police Air Operations Unit, has his sights set on building the unit’s search and rescue profile as it continues to expand its services. Mohammed, currently deputy head of the unit, will take over the reins later this year from Steve Fitzgerald when he retires from the service after a decade with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. Mohammed, in a recent interview with the Cayman Compass, said a focus for his tenure will be upgrading the skillset on the unit. “I would like to develop further our capabilities to not only service our islands, but to service the overseas territories as per our MOU with the [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]. But locally, I’d like to look at increasing our capability and hoisting services, and making ourselves more available to provide that service to our partners, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard [which] is tasked with search and rescue in our geographical area,” he added. Plans for search and rescue Both police helicopters, the most advanced H145s in the region, have hoisting capabilities, and Mohammed is aiming to have the AOU team trained up to execute rescues using the winch. “There’s quite a bit more specialised training. And it’s not just training and certification, but it’s constant training after,” he said. He said for him the importance of building the hoisting capability is simply, “one life saved”. “I think that just sums it up in one lesson, and to be prepared in the event that we have to save one life. Yes we’d love to be prepared and never have to use that skill, but employing it once and saving a life sums it all up. The helicopter has the capability for hoisting we just have to get our teams ready,” he added. A recent police press release pointed out that during 2021-2022, the RCIPS Air Operations Unit twice deployed a H145 police helicopter and crew to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where they provided security and stability support to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in countering unlawful migration. “The deployments, which lasted for two weeks each, were conducted from 1-15 December 2021, and 5-19 January 2022, respectively. Over the course of the four weeks, the two crews flew 41 flights, with a total of 75 hours of flying time, and covered an area of 6,500 nautical miles. Most of the operations focused on the southern approaches of TCI and routes to neighbouring Haiti,” it stated. Outside of those duties, the police helicopter is also an important asset during hurricane season and is part of the regional relief response for fellow British Overseas Territories. More search and rescue ops for police helicopter The number of H145 helicopters in the Air Operations Unit “I’d like to look at increasing our capability and hoisting services, and making ourselves more available to provide that service to our partners, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard.” Inspector Neil Mohammed, who will be taking over as head of the police’s Air Operations Unit 2 cayman compass 8 THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022cayman compass 9 THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022 A new section in the Cayman Compass. • Church events • School plays • Charity fundraisers • Upcoming events Email the information to community@compassmedia.ky. IN YOUR COMMUNITY • Births • Birthdays • Weddings • Celebrations of life The new weekly section will also feature front pages and stories from the Cayman Compass of yesteryear. Cayman Compass – At the heart of the community since 1965.Next >