Captain Adrian Chiswell during a tour of recent illegal migrant landing sites. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
By Morgan Adderley
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is working on implementing a drone programme to improve its capabilities and combat the threat of illegal migrants, Acting Officer-In-Charge of Coral Harbour Captain Adrian Chriswell said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters during a tour of the waters surrounding the Coral Harbour Base, Captain Chriswell addressed the group of illegal migrants who landed on New Providence over the weekend, the difficulties the RBDF faces in preventing them from making landfall, and dispelled the notion that these migrants represent a security threat to the base.
According to an RBDF statement, shortly after midnight on Sunday, a 35ft Haitian sloop made landfall off Venice Bay, south New Providence.
As a result of a combined effort between police, immigration and RBDF officials, 26 migrants were captured, who were turned over to immigration officials for further processing.
This is the third time since last November a sloop has landed in New Providence in the vicinity of the Coral Harbour base.
In December, a Haitian sloop made landfall three miles west of the base. More than 50 people were apprehended then.
In November, another sloop landed illegally on Adelaide Beach.
When asked if there have been more illegal landings this year, or if numbers have been consistent with previous years, Captain Chriswell said "fairly consistent".
"They come in waves," he said. "It depends on the weather, the conditions in Haiti at the time - the political scene, the economic scene.
"So depending on the weather, if it's looking good for the wind to bring them in, which happens a lot with these storms, they can follow the storm because it brings them up the northwest.
"You might get a wave of three, four come out at one time. Then you may go several months before the second wave comes up."
He added because of this, it is difficult to predict how migrants are going to travel unless the RBDF receives intelligence information from Haiti itself.
Captain Chriswell told reporters the RBDF is unaware of the number of illegal migrants who were able to avoid apprehension during this recent landfall. However, he said a typical sloop can carry anywhere from 30 to 80 people.
With 26 apprehended on New Providence on Sunday, the captain estimated "similar numbers" were also captured on Eleuthera over the weekend, when another sloop landed at Savannah Sound.
This would bring the total from this weekend up to about 60.
The captain said capturing migrants is challenging because they frequently change their patterns.
On yesterday's tour of the waters surrounding the base, he let reporters see first-hand how difficult it is spot other vessels even in broad daylight -- let alone in less favourable conditions, such as rain or at night.
He said acquainting the press is important, so the public can be acquainted with the fact that it's "not as easy as it looks".
He added that Venice Bay is three miles from the base, which is also challenging to see.
However, the captain admitted this area is preferred by migrants.
"Right now they've found out that Venice Bay is underpopulated," he said.
"Very few houses, limited street lighting and actually limited traffic because it's a private area. So, they know there's not going to be a lot of traffic and people just casually driving around."
He also revealed the RBDF is putting a new radar system in place in Matthew Town, Inagua.
"We're still improving the facilities in Matthew Town. We anticipate having that radar and the tracking system in place in a few short months, maybe three months. That will be the first layer."
He added the force is also putting equipment and a full facility in Ragged Island and will also improve the facilities in New Providence.
It is also working on a drone programme.
"The next project that we're working on is the drone programme," he said.
"The good thing about the drone is one operator can sit back in Coral Harbour or any facility and send the drone up.
"And you don't have to worry about the personnel and having all of the fuel and provisions on board.
"The aircraft as well, with the pilots on board, they do a good job. But again, that's wear and tear on the aircraft. They cost a lot more than a drone would. And then you have to train the crew and then you have to overhaul the equipment.
"It's not a cheap exercise of trying to keep the country secure. And like I say it's not just on the migrants, it's all the other external threats."
Captain Chriswell said the RBDF is working with various drone models, starting with "simple off-the-shelf" brands before working toward military grade.
Those, however, get increasingly pricier.
"You can start with a $5,000 drone and then a $50,000. Than you can easily go up and spend anywhere from $1-3m."
However, the drone programme still has its difficulties.
"There are several companies who are offering [drones] for maritime. That's one of the biggest problems -- most of the drones can't get wet. They don't land in the water. If you drop one in the water, that one's a right-off. You need to shop around and be sure that water drone you find is going to work for the maritime environment to be able to go out.
"And launching a drone from a moving platform is difficult. And it's even more difficult retrieving a drone. Because if you have any electronic failure on the drone, the drone defaults to it's last position -- where it took off from. And [now] you're five miles away from that point.
"So it's not just as easy as going in the store and buying [it] off-the-shelf, and maritime and military grade all at the same time. But they're working on it."
Captain Chriswell also said illegal landings do not represent a significant threat to the base or national security, as most of the migrants are not in the physical condition to pose a threat. However, he did acknowledge that they make a "societal impact".
He added the public should not be "alarmed" by the landings, but should participate in helping authorities by informing them if they see anything suspicious.
The captain added that "reduced landings" should happen, while admitting that he can't be sure if it will get down to "zero".
However, with hurricane season approaching, he said the RBDF also needs to concentrate on supporting the local population.
Comments
bogart 6 years, 5 months ago
IT IS EASIER THAN IT LOOKS......SIMPLE.....HAVE THE AUTHORITIES ....EVER TRIED INTERROGATING...THESE FOREIGN INVADERS WHO HAVE .....ILLEGALLY ...AND INTENTIONALLY ....CONSPIRED.....TO .AVOID ...LAWFUL ..FORCES OF THIS SOVEREIGN BAHAMALAND...AND INSERT FOREIGN AGENTS...TO DESTABILIZE...THIS SOVEREIGN NATION...INSTEAD OF BUYING MORE EQUIPMENT...AND PAYING FOR A JET PLANE RIDE BACK TO RETURN ...AGAIN....AND...AGAIN..?????????....guaranteed that any tru tru patriotic Bahamian civilian group can persuade the captured invaders to reveal who is the captain ofbthe illegal vessel...guarrantee to find out who are their ringleaders....and any other information to neutralize and deter further threats of illegal invasion...Many out of work Bahamian civilians ..tired taxpayers...willing to sign up...
screwedbahamian 6 years, 5 months ago
If the People of the Dominican Republic across the border figured it out, why the Bahamian people (RBDF) 139 nautical miles away by open ocean cannot figure it out.
Seaman 6 years, 5 months ago
This man for real?..........Someone please tell him take his head out of his .....you know what. I'm ashamed to hear Mr Chriswell talk like a fool. PM Minnis needs to kick his ass all the way to Haiti. He really thinks Bahamians are stupid.
John 6 years, 5 months ago
The Bahamas has become the destination of choice for Haitians immigrants after Donald Trump’s no tolerance policy on illegal immigrants. Especially immigrants from countries , like Haiti, which he described as ‘sh!thole countries.’ So rather than steering towards the Ragged Islands then staying on the ocean North of the Bahamas, illegal Haitians have pointed their compass on South New Providence and since their vessels have no engines, the high shoals (reefs) pose little threat to them. Obviously they have planned their landings to be at night to make it easier to be undetected and to make their escape easier if they are detected. If the Defense Force was to try intercept these vessels at night the result would most likely be a human tragedy with loss of life. And the force would be at a disadvantage having motor vessels. So they must either detect and intercept these sloops before they get in the shallows or be prepared to surround and capture the immigrants as they come to shore. So yes, early detection is the key and drones may be helpful. But the Defense Force can also request the assistance of air and sea craft in the area to report any sightings of the sloop type vessels in the areas down the Exuma Chain or around the Southern coast of Eleuthera. Also since these sloops are most likely stolen in Haiti, the Defense Force May consider putting ears on the ground in that country to alert when a vessel may be on its way.
SP 6 years, 5 months ago
For starters, get the dam RBDF boats out of harbors and staff off their lazy ass's and set them out on patrols. What good are they moored?
Secondly, strategically positioning RBDF vessels under anchor enabling them to "see" any boat coming in can't be that difficult!
joeblow 6 years, 5 months ago
Things are always harder for a person (or group) who are incompetent or lack the discipline or will to do something and than a skilled, organized, motivated person or group!!
John 6 years, 5 months ago
So neither of you are aware that The Bahamas has more water than land mass. The Defense Force doesn’t even have enough craft to station one in every island, or the manpower. So yes strategy is necessary or more penalties for violators. Many look at Haitians as poor and undereducated people risking their lives on the open seas. But consothis. All of the last landings have been virtually in the bowels of the Defense Force Base. And less than 25 percent of the suspected cargo has been recovered in each instance. Where are the rest of the illegals who landed. So part of the strategy may need to focus on land exercises that make it impossible for illegals escape once they land and/or severe penalties for persons who assist them
John 6 years, 5 months ago
Donald Trump still plans to build his wall on the boarder between the US and Mexico to stop the flow of illegal migrants. There were 30,000 (yes Thirty Thousand) murders in the capital of Mexico alone last year mostly due to gang wars and fro cartels battling. A hit to kill someone can be made for as little as US $50. And selling drugs on a street corner can get one killed instantly even if they have the protection of the ruthless and deadly cartels. But what Trump fears the most is members of the deadly MS-13 gang crossing the border and sneaking back into the US from as far away as South America. This MS-13 gang was formed in US prisons and as members were deported back to their home county the gang grew and became more deadly. They don’t just kill members of rival gangs, but anyone can become their target.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago
When they(RBDF) had few boats ...... illegals came. When they had no planes ..... illegals came. When they had 500 men ..... illegals came.
Now, they have many boats ........ illegals come. Now they have planes ....... illegals come. Now they have 1300 men ......... illegals come.
Soooooo, when we get drones?????? ....... Will illegals still come???????
bogart 6 years, 5 months ago
As long as there are opportunities of jobs by the populations wealthy 10 - 20% Bahamian employers and freeness offered by the government legislators. pandering to their needs...for who knows why??....its honey to bees.
Over the decades the illegal Human trafficking trade has been like a well oiled military operation....use of boats non detectable...timing to make the 3 -4 day sailing ship by navigating by stars.....timing to bypass populated settlements...Bahamian shipping mail boat routes..limited excess weight like adequate water..and timing to arrive at certain hours at night....moonless nights used to advantage .....they are good....The Authorities need to think outside the box...inovate...interrogate...encourage...offer Rewards for information....balloons .....watch towers.....station observation units along trafficking routes...........the major theatre of Defence Force activity is south ....where the illegal boats are sailing from......so move half the base south.........shouldnt somebody by now point that out to the Defence Force..........conscript unemployed Longislanders to malitia service to observe suspicious activity and perhaps to apprehend them......sorry take that last Suggestion back ......would not happen..........it would ........create unemployment for the defence force,.... immihration,.... police apprehenders, .....too much hardship for businesses to find really low wage illegal employees, ......school teachers will have half size classrooms,... some schoolsvempty and some may actually be laid off, ...less money for education,.... health services budget, .......Bahamasair will have money profits for less trips repatriating illegals........no more foreign trips by politicians to Haiti to discuss the situation......goodness grief..apologies for that last bad suggestion..!!!..
sealice 6 years, 5 months ago
It is if you have the proper amount of boats on patrol in the areas that you know they are coming though - what they should be doing is what our brothers to the South in the Turks and Caicos do and don't let the boats touch shore ..... drag them back out to international water and push em back to haiti....
My2centz 6 years, 5 months ago
It's not hard either...there's a reason they're not flocking to Jamaica, Cuba or even Long Island. They need to impose extreme fines on illegal entrants and their enablers and not give officials leeway for "stern warnings" in lieu of.. . Secondly, leaders need to lead logically and not like emotional basket cases because of their personal lineage or to be "humanatarians". The Bahamas is a country, not a charity. Do not tell them if they're born here they're automatically entitled to Bahamian citizenship it's not true. It only encourages them to take the risk. And do not build low cost housing for their now adult offspring. Some already believe by just making it here, they're entitled to free land...this validates that. Ie Stop making illegals feel entitled.
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