The Government of Bermuda is pleased to recognise the crews of the ferries Resolute, Warbaby Fox, Tug Powerful and the Aids to Navigation (ATON) teams as recipients of the September Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA), for their prompt and professional response to the vessel fire involving Hakuna Matata near Saltus Island last month.
The ferry and tug crews diverted from scheduled service to assist with the incident, notifying Bermuda Radio, evacuating the vessel’s occupants and conducting sustained firefighting operations. The ATON team also responded promptly by deploying environmental protection equipment around the disabled vessel.
Working within the main shipping channel, the teams helped protect lives and manage a serious maritime incident, reflecting the importance of preparedness and cooperation in delivering essential maritime services. The coordinated response demonstrated sound judgement, effective teamwork and a strong commitment to safety.
Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, said, “Public officers often work out of the spotlight, but their swift response to this vessel fire showed why Bermuda is fortunate to have such dedicated people serving our community. These crews and teams brought people to safety, fought the fire and took steps to protect our marine environment. They responded quickly and worked together to bring the situation under control. We see that same commitment from public officers across the Government whenever our communities face challenges. I am grateful for their service and proud to see their efforts recognised through this Public Service Excellence Award.”
And the Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter, added, “The response by these teams reflects the professionalism, commitment and sound judgement that are central to effective public service. Their willingness to act promptly, work collaboratively and carry out their responsibilities in challenging circumstances demonstrates the quality of service our officers provide. I thank everyone involved for their contribution and for upholding the standards expected of the Bermuda Public Service.”
The recognition acknowledges the importance of maintaining a prepared and capable maritime workforce, with officers equipped to respond to emergencies while supporting the safe operation of Bermuda’s waterways.
The September PSEA recipients from the Department of Marine and Ports Services include:
· Ferry Resolute crew: Torian Morrissey, Zakai Bean, Darius Burch and Kieran Swan.
· Ferry Warbaby Fox crew: Demian Tucker, Devonte Fox, Ryan Kirby, Matiss Randel, Malcolm Raynor, Danerio Tacklyn and Sakena Tucker.
· Tug Powerful crew: Dale Brangman, Corrie Matthews, Quincy Dowling, Byron Joyiens, Tre Jones and Stuart Card.
· Aids to Navigation team: Giovanni Burrows, Norman Smith, Derek Simons, Shaquille Jones, Dkembe Dill, Taj Maxwell and Kareem Hollis.
Each month, the Public Service Excellence Awards recognise individuals and teams who consistently demonstrate exceptional service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the community.
