Cruise Line’s Efforts in Dorian Relief

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At our December lunch, Anita Mitchell and her daughter Kimberly were on hand to describe the efforts of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to provide relief on Grand Bahama Island following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Dorian, the category five monster that turned much of the Abacos and Grand Bahama into rubble in September, remained over the northern Bahamas for a day while we in South Florida hunkered down for the blow that didn’t come. We “dodged a cannonball” in Anita’s words.

Mitchell, who is the Corporate and Community Relations VP at the cruise line, described how their ship, the Grand Celebration, sailed shortly after the storm’s passage to initially provide evacuation assistance from Grand Bahama during a 12 hour stop. Later, they would ferry needed supplies, equipment and volunteers to the island to assist in the recovery. Other cruise lines were helping too, but their larger ships had to anchor out while the Grand Celebration was able to tie up to the dock, greatly facilitating loading and unloading.

Their ships were also involved in hurricane relief during 2018 in the Virgin Islands.

Kimberly Mitchell, Executive Director of the Everglades Trust and a former WPB Commissioner, spoke about the effort to set up a charitable organization to continue providing relief, described the efforts of the local business community in West Palm Beach, particulalry restaurant owner Rodney Mayo.

The businesses provided supplies and donations as well as loaning their employees to help in the efforts. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Bahamas Relief Cruise (BRC) was created with the help of Gunster and former Senator George LeMieux. Donations are accepted at their website.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operates two cruise ships from the Port of Palm Beach, providing 2 night trips to Grand Bahama and Nassau. Many of the club members have been on these trips and spoke well of the experience. Anita described what the ships have to offer in the way of accommodations, food and entertainment, and brought along two of the on-board performers who gave us a taste.

Vocalist Tamula Browning Helmuth entertained us with a variety of musical selections including Etta James “At Last” and a hearty rendition of John Fogerty and CCR’s “Proud Mary” as rendered by Tina Turner. She was accompanied by saxophonist Rashad “the SAX Man” Reckley.

Reckley, an Abacoan victim of the hurricane himself, performed with his leg in a cast as Helmuth related how he clung to a tree as the hurricane destroyed his home.

Also at the meeting was CD18 candidate Nick Vessio.