Inflow of fentanyl across US border a point of contention in discussions
International news via Reuters:
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect on Tuesday, but that President Donald Trump will determine whether to stick with the planned 25% level.
“That is a fluid situation,” Lutnick told the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we’re going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate.”
Lutnick’s comments were the first indication from Trump’s administration that it may not impose the full threatened 25% tariffs on all goods from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada.
He said the two countries have “done a reasonable job” securing their borders with the United States, though the deadly drug fentanyl continues to flow into the country.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks alongside Howard Lutnick in the Oval Office of the White House on the day Lutnick is sworn in as U.S. Commerce Secretary by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 21, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File PhotoFILE PHOTO: The flags of Mexico, the United States and Canada fly in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico February 1, 2025. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo
Trump sowed confusion last week when he mentioned a possible April 2 deadline in connection with tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but later reaffirmed the Tuesday deadline and said he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods on Tuesday, effectively doubling 10% duties imposed on Feb. 4.
Lutnick said Trump is expected to raise tariffs on China on Tuesday unless the country ends fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
Reporting by David Morgan, David Lawder and Leah Douglas; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell
The Government has done a Ministry restructure creating a dedicated Ministry of Housing and Municipalities since, per the Premier, housing “is one of the most vital issues that our island faces today” and “Given its importance the Government will dedicate a full ministry to housing, emphasising how critical affordable housing solutions are to Bermuda’s future.”
It is an admirable move but is also a tacit recognition that after 21 years of PLP rule, there is still a housing crisis in Bermuda. I am grateful to the Leader of the Opposition in appointing me as Shadow Minister to this portfolio in addition to Home Affairs.
I have had a real interest in this area for years, first writing in the Bermuda Sun in 2008 about my desire to see the Bishop Spencer School be used for Emergency Housing. I will address this in another article.
During the 2025 election campaign the PLP touted a record of “delivering 70 homes”. Columnist Bryant Trew largely addressed this claim in his excellent piece herein April 2024: Selective facts about housing figures – The Royal Gazette | Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community | As such I won’t repeat the math. Instead, what I will comment on is that the Bermuda Housing Corporation is simply nibbling at the edges of what is a serious issue and our housing issues are in fact far more than dealing with emergency housing.
One problem is there is just not enough stock, especially in the one and two-bedroom market at a reasonable rent. Advertised rental units, if you can find them at all, come off the market faster than you can snap your fingers. On propertyskipper.com at the time of writing (Friday 28 February) there were 27 one- and two-bedroom properties listed island-wide with three-quarters listed at eye-watering rental sums. Why is that?
The issues are well documented. But in my view, we need to have a totally different holistic look at the entire matter. Housing cannot be examined in a simple vacuum. I have written previously about changing planning height restrictions and considering different building materials is a start (see piece here: What are we waiting for? Build higher! – The Royal Gazette | Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community | . In short, if we are to encourage building for our future, we need to consider many things, not only renovating existing units for low-income needs. Admirable and absolutely required, yes, but it is a band aid approach.
I suspect there are a number of people and companies that benefit from maintaining the status quo, which has inhibited our ability to be innovative. We typically say “no” in Bermuda to innovation and we need to end that now. In order to make informed decisions about our housing needs, from emergency housing to suitable units for single people and small families, we need to undertake a census urgently.
We also need to consider how immigration policy has influenced our current housing crisis, which falls squarely on this government. I say that since there was a fundamental shift in immigration patterns which has had a detrimental effect on availability of one- and two-bedroom units for Bermudians. This began when term limits were introduced.
In short, when longer term residents left the island who were renting family homes, they were replaced by guest workers who were single or married without children who then competed on a far larger level than ever in the one bedroom and two-bedroom market against Bermudians. Equally, the now-ended digital nomad program had the same effect. As our population ages, more and more seniors will be looking for one and two-bedroom units. All this drives up rental unit costs.
So, what should we do? We need to have a very quick and serious look at numerous pieces of legislation to incentivize building of one- and two-bedroom units for rental and sale, firstly to Bermudians – families and seniors. We need to build higher in the City of Hamilton and encourage city living. We need to ensure new building codes include elements of clean and sustainable energy. Most of all we need accurate figures to give us true insight into issues that can only currently be identified through extrapolation from out of date figures.
Over the coming weeks I will be reaching out to stakeholders in the community to get their perspectives, learn and share ideas for the betterment of Bermuda.
Michael Fahy is a former Cabinet Minister and is the MP for Constituency 20 and the Shadow Minister for Housing & Municipalities and Home Affairs. He can be contacted at opedfahy@gmail.com.
Calls on the Government to ‘Put their money where their mouth is”
One Bermuda Alliance Shadow Minister of Finance, Dr. Douglas De Couto
One Bermuda Alliance Op-Ed:
Normally at this time of year, the political class and close observers would be analysing the annual Budget Debate. This is when the Government delivers its taxing and spending plans to the legislature for scrutiny and challenge by the Opposition and is an opportunity for the public to learn more about how the Government will spend the peoples’ money. Usually, this is all wrapped up and approved in time for the start of the Government’s financial year on April 1st.
In early January when the election was called, there was some concern by the public that the election would delay the budget process. However, Government stated that it did not expect any. However, that promise is out the window with the new, recently announced schedule delaying things by about two months. Meanwhile the Premier has shuffled the deck and the new Ministers are busy moving the deck chairs around.
The Throne Speech was delivered just two short months before the election, and Government’s preview of the budget, the Pre-Budget report, was delivered only in mid-December. Given that, it’s natural to think those plans were promises of what an ongoing PLP Government would do after the election. But the Premier has thrown that all out the window. Perhaps this was motivated by his Government earning less than half of the popular vote, the first time in Bermuda’s modern political history?
Speaking of promises, the Premier has pledged a new spirit of outreach and collaboration. So it was a surprise for the MPs in the One Bermuda Alliance to learn first of the new Parliamentary and Budget dates by reading about them in the newspaper. Can the Government do that? Sure. Does it set a good basis for mutual respect? Not so much. Of course, there are many groups in Bermuda that are already familiar with this kind of approach from Premier Burt and the PLP Government.
Returning to the Budget, although it is now two months away, we look forward to seeing Government’s revised funding plans. As they say, “put your money where your mouth is”.
The Pre-Budget report pledged to keep all department budgets flat, except for a total increase of about 3% earmarked to increase Government workers’ pay. Given the agreement between Government and the unions the day before the election, we will have to see if the 3% is enough to cover what was promised, which we are still waiting to learn.
Absentee voting is another long-standing hot topic. The OBA prepared draft legislation and allocated funds for this in the 2016 and 2017 budgets. This was then removed from budgets by the PLP, so we will look to see if Government actually backs its election-time pledges on this.
Obviously funding for healthcare is critical, particularly for the hospital. My colleague Robin Tucker recently shared our thoughts on that, and we hope to see adequate funding returned to the hospital.
For people working today, the stability of Social Insurance and Government worker pensions remains a concern. The OBA pledged to reform these pensions so they can be relied upon by future retirees, and we are anxious to see what Government plans to do. We need the 2023 Pensions Actuarial reports to better understand the true state of the pensions (our guess: not very good), and are advised by Government we can expect to see these by the end of March.
And last but not least, we are carefully watching Government’s handling of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT). For example, how will the OECD view our approach, will we be penalized, and will business get the benefits they are looking for so Bermuda remains attractive? These are the sorts of things we will be paying attention to, among many others, in the upcoming Throne Speech and Budget.
Whatever happens, you should rest assured that the One Bermuda Alliance will continue to advocate for all Bermudians, and getting the best outcomes for our country.
END
Background note: Douglas resigned from the Tax Reform Commission once the election was called, as it was not possible to commit the time required for the TRC work at the same time as campaigning. Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson will be appointing a new OBA representative shortly.
Britain has passed legislation that prevents children from accessing harmful content
FILE PHOTO: TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
Britain’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, on Monday launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit and online image sharing website Imgur safeguard children’s privacy.
Social media companies use complex algorithms to prioritise content and keep users engaged. However, the fact that they amplify similar content can lead to children being influenced by increasing amounts of harmful material.
The watchdog said it is probing how Chinese company ByteDance’s short-form video-sharing platform TikTok uses 13–17-year-olds’ personal information to suggest content in their feed.
Social media and discussion platform Reddit, and Imgur are being investigated over how they assess the age of child users, it said.
“If we find there is sufficient evidence that any of these companies have broken the law, we will put this to them and obtain their representations before reaching a final conclusion,” the Information Commissioner’s Office said in a statement.
In 2023, the ICO fined TikTok 12.7 million pounds ($16 million) for breaching data protection law by using the personal data of children aged under 13 without parental consent.
Reddit has been working closely with the ICO and intends to comply with all relevant regulations in the countries in which it operates, a spokesperson from the company told Reuters in an email.
“Most of our users are adults, but we have plans to roll out changes this year that address updates to UK regulations around age assurance,” the Reddit spokesperson said.
ByteDance, TikTok and Imgur did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Britain has passed legislation that set tougher rules for social media platforms, including a mandate for them to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content by enforcing age limits and age-checking measures.
Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are required to “tame” their algorithms to filter out or downgrade harmful material to help protect children under proposed British measures published last year.
($1 = 0.7933 pounds)
Reporting by Angela Christy and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Gerry Doyle
Mortgage approvals for house purchase dropped to 66,189 from 66,505 in December
A row of residential houses is seen with the financial district in the distance in South London, Britain, February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
British homebuyers borrowed the most in new mortgages since September 2022 in January, while approvals for new lending dropped less than expected ahead of the end of a tax break on property purchases, according to Bank of England data on Monday.
Net mortgage lending rose to 4.207 billion pounds ($5.31 billion) in January from 3.343 billion in December, the highest since September 2022 when the economic plans of former prime minister Liz Truss sparked turmoil in bond and mortgage markets.
January’s lending was well above economists’ expectations in a Reuters poll for 3.55 billion pounds of new lending.
Mortgage approvals for house purchase – a leading indicator for lending – dropped to 66,189 from 66,505 in December, a smaller decline than the fall to 65,650 expected in a poll.
The end this month of a temporary reduction in stamp duty land tax for first-time home buyers and for buyers of less expensive houses is likely to have boosted activity.
“Lower mortgage interest rates, rising real wages and a rush to beat changes to Stamp Duty in April supported net new mortgage approvals for house purchase in January,” Rob Wood, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said.
“But the rush to beat stamp duty changes seems to have peaked, so approvals will likely slow in the next few months.”
Some measures of Britain’s housing market, including house price data from mortgage lender Nationwide and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, have shown house prices picking up.
Other BoE data released at the same time chimed with official retail sales figures that had pointed to a pick-up in consumer demand in January against a subdued broader backdrop.
The BoE’s data showed annual consumer credit growth slowed to 6.4% in January from 6.5% in December, the lowest since May 2022.
But consumer credit jumped in cash terms by a net 1.740 billion pounds in January from 1.062 billion pounds in December – the biggest increase in a year and above the Reuters poll consensus for a 1.2 billion pound rise.
($1 = 0.7928 pounds)
Writing by Suban Abdulla; editing by David Milliken and Christina Fincher
Event highlighted diverse opportunities in the hospitality industry
Update from the Bermuda Government via press release:
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club hosted a vibrant career fair on February 27, 2025, in the Princess Ballroom, attracting job seekers eager to explore opportunities in the hospitality industry. The event featured a range of openings across multiple divisions, including front office, Exhale spa, recreation, housekeeping, food and beverage, and culinary, offering a gateway for individuals seeking to build a fulfilling career in luxury hospitality.
The career fair welcomed a diverse pool of candidates, from seasoned professionals to those newly entering the workforce. Attendees had the chance to engage with representatives from the hotel, learn about different career paths, and gain insight into the company’s commitment to excellence and community involvement. The event highlighted the hotel’s mission to connect guests to the extraordinary beauty of Bermuda while fostering a dynamic work environment that encourages learning and growth.
Minister of Tourism and Transport, Culture and Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, attended the event, stating, “The Hamilton Princess career fair is a great opportunity to showcase the growth of Bermuda’s tourism industry. While we celebrate the numbers that were shared this week by the Bermuda Tourism Authority – the impressive 15% increase in leisure visitors and the record $531 million in visitor spending last year – what is of particular significance, is the meaningful careers being built right here on our shores.”
Among the success stories highlighted at the event was Jaquan Burrows, a former management trainee who has risen through the ranks to become Manager of Housekeeping at the iconic property. Minister Darrell added, “I was extremely pleased to see Jaquan Burrows in his role as Manager of Housekeeping. As his former teacher, watching his journey from the classroom to managing a key department at one of Bermuda’s flagship properties, reminds me why we emphasize hospitality education in our schools. His story isn’t just personal success, it’s living proof that Bermudians can thrive at the highest levels of our tourism industry when given the right opportunities and training.”
Minister Darrell noted that the growth in Bermuda’s tourism industry is commendable, but its success goes beyond statistics. The Minister highlighted the importance of the Tourism Investment Act 2017, which provides incentives for hotels that maintain a predominantly Bermudian workforce. “We’ve structured our tourism investments to ensure Bermudians remain at the heart of our hospitality industry. Hotels receive land tax exemptions when they verify that 70% of their staff are Bermudian – a commitment to keeping tourism benefits firmly rooted in our community.”
The Minister noted that properties like Hamilton Princess are embracing the Tourism Investment Act to enhance their offerings, breathing new life into Bermuda’s tourism product. This comes as the island prepares for hotel capacity enhancements in 2025, including the new rooms in Azura’s Nautilus wing and the anticipated opening of Hillcrest, a boutique hotel in historic St George’s. “Career fairs like today’s event represent the bridge between Bermuda’s tourism aspirations and the prosperity of our people,” concluded Minister Darrell. “For those who couldn’t attend today’s event, I encourage you to explore these opportunities online because tourism in Bermuda isn’t just recovering, it’s transforming, and every Bermudian deserves a chance to be part of this opportunity.”
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club continues to be a cornerstone employer in Bermuda’s hospitality landscape. Those unable to attend the career fair are encouraged to view current openings and submit applications through the hotel’s online career portal.
Premier Burt complimented FDM leader Marc Bean for his party’s focus on key issues
Update from the Bermuda Government via press release:
The Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, has initiated discussions across Bermuda’s political spectrum to foster collaboration and unity on key issues.
On Friday (Feb. 28), the Premier met with the leader of the Free Democratic Movement (FDM), Marc Bean to discuss areas of mutual interest. Their conversation focused on identifying opportunities to improve the lives of Bermudians through constructive cooperation.
Both the Premier and Mr. Bean underscored the importance of finding common ground to address Bermuda’s pressing challenges.
In the meeting, Premier Burt complimented the FDM leader for his party’s focus on the issues during the recent election campaign which is important for fostering debate.
The Premier said, “On Friday, we took an important step forward. Not as members of different political parties, but as Bermudians, committed to the hard work of building a stronger, fairer, more united Bermuda. We may not always agree but what matters is that we find common ground where we can, push each other to be better, and never lose sight of the fact that the challenges we face belong to all of us. At the end of the day, the success of Bermuda isn’t about one party, it’s about what we can achieve together for our island home.”
Premier Burt also met with One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) leader Jarion Richardson to review the dates for the Convening of the Legislature and the 2025/26 Budget. This meeting underscored the government’s approach to ensuring an inclusive dialogue on governance.
The Premier said, “In my meeting with Opposition leader Jarion Richardson, we spoke about the need for the Legislature to be more active in its oversight role, not just during House sessions, but through its committees.
“This was a recommendation from the SAGE Commission and a commitment in our 2017 platform. We made the necessary changes in 2018 to ensure these committees could be appointed. Yet, after finally being formed in 2024, they still haven’t met. That must change.”
Premier Burt concluded, “Accountability is a shared responsibility, and we must ensure the mechanisms for oversight are not just in place, but actually used. That’s why we both agreed on the need to ensure these committees fulfil their role.”
These engagements, the first of several planned meetings across Bermuda’s political landscape, highlight the Government’s commitment to fostering a cooperative approach to governance for the benefit of all Bermudians.
Government Press Release: Effective March 1st, 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Labour advises the public that the moratorium on new work permits issued for the following Closed job categories is extended for three months, ending May 31st, 2025.
The following list of Closed job categories is unchanged from the prior three-month period ending February 28th, 2025:
Administrative Assistant
Airline Ground Agent
Bank Teller
Carpet Installer
Cashier
Childcare Assistant
Courier
Customer Care/ Service Rep
Debt Collector
Deckhand
Dispatcher Road Transport
Entertainer/ Musician
Executive Secretary/Assistant
Fisherman
General Bartender
General Labourer
Golf Instructors
Grocery Packer
Guest Service Agent
Handyman
HR Officer/ Manager
Intern
Laundry Attendant
Legal Clerk
Librarian
Office Receptionist
Painter
Para-Professional
Photographer
Pool/Beach Attendant
Public Relations Officer
Real Estate Agent
Retail Floor Supervisor
Room Attendant
Salesperson
Seasonal Work Permits
Security Guard
Senior Clerk
Taxi Driver
Teaching Aide
Technician salesperson
Telephone Switchboard Operator
Tourist Retail Salesperson
Travel Agent/ Consultant
Wallpaper Technician
Warehouse Clerk
The following list of restricted job categories included under the Work Permit Policy is unchanged from the prior three-month period ending February 28th, 2025:
Dish/ Pot Washer
Electrician
General Carpenter
Kitchen Assistant
Kitchen Porter
Landscape Gardener (Entry Level)
Plumber
Residential/ Commercial Cleaner
Tennis instructor
Waiter/ Server
According to the Work Permit Policy, Section 3.7, the application process for jobs in the Restricted job categories is the same as that for the Open category, except the employer must:
1. Apply for a maximum term of one (1) year; and 2. Submit evidence that any candidates screened and recommended by the Department of Workforce Development (“DWD”) have been appropriately considered. DWD is expected to respond to enquiries by employers within ten (10) working days. Should no response be forthcoming from DWD, the employer may submit the application with written evidence that they made enquiries.
The partner of a Bermudian, Permanent Resident Certificate holder, non-Bermudian on a work permit, or other legal residents of Bermuda who have already received permission to reside may now apply to seek employment. Partners who do not have permission to reside may apply to reside and seek employment. Further details on Partner-Genuine and Subsisting Relationships are available online at gov.bm.
The Ministry of Economy and Labour’s main aim is always to ensure the effective use of policies that create job opportunities for Bermudians. Closed and Restricted job categories encourage companies to consider and develop Bermudians in the workforce. As the employment landscape in Bermuda continues to shift, policy amendments will reflect the changes in demand.
Individuals looking to increase their skillsets and employability are always encouraged to register with the Department of Workforce Development at dwd@gov.bm and explore more options for further education through Bermuda College at www.college.bm.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority published their 2024 Q4 and year-end visitor statistics
Bermuda’s tourism industry appears to be making strides to recover four years after the Pandemic. The latest statistics from the Bermuda Tourism Authority says 2024 proved a year of significant growth across air, cruise, and yacht arrivals.
Though a lack of hotel inventory, they said continues to hinder growth.
Air visitor arrivals rose in 2024 driven by strong performance in key U.S. markets, which saw year-over-year increases from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.
The BTA says it attributes this growth to 25% increase in air capacity offering more gateway cities and seats available to Bermuda.
The number of vacationers travelling specifically to the island for leisure increased to 139,546 visitors or 15% year on year.
Additionally, leisure air visitors spent $300.12 million or 10% more than the previous year.
Total visitor spending reached $531 million with air visitors spending $416.5 million in 2024 or a 22% increase from 2023.
Most of the spending increase was in the accommodation sector with air visitors spending $245.1million at hotels, or 37% more than the previous year.
Occupancy rates increased 4.5%, which the BTA says stifles air visitor growth during the summer months.
They said, “The temporary closure and renovation of major properties, such as the Fairmont Southampton and Elbow Beach hotels, has shrunk the available inventory, with hotel capacity remaining at approximately 75% of 2019 levels.”
In 2025, hotel capacity is expected to remain relatively flat, with only modest increases anticipated, including the addition of some newly completed rooms in the Nautilus wing of Azura and the planned opening of Hillcrest, a new 14-room boutique hotel in St George’s.
Bermuda welcomed over 535,000 cruise visitors in 2024 translating to a 1.9% increase, contributing to the island’s tourism economy although, cruise spending was down 8.7% to an average spend of $214.16 per passenger.
Superyacht arrivals rose by 30% from 56 to 79 and a total 974 yachts reached our shores contributing over $13.8m in economic impact.
The BTA says events held during the shoulder months- January through May and September through December continue to drive positive economic impact to supplement volume. This includes the Chubb Triangle Challenge, Butterfield Bermuda Championship PGATOUR, Apex Bermuda SailGP and the Newport Bermuda Yacht Race.
The Vegan Fest, a locally curated food festival to boost visitor experiences saw a 30% increase in visitation.
Tracy Berkeley, CEO said, “We are moving in the right direction, and we will not be derailed from our mission to maximise value for Bermuda’s tourism sector. Bermuda has seen growth across key metrics in 2024, and my team is on track for more good news, driving long term group business and making inroads in the luxury sector.”
She says the BTA look forward to welcoming more visitors this year and 2026.
Neptune’s Pirates crew prepares for ‘Operation Ice Storm’ to confront Icelandic whalers
A flagship vessel leading anti-whaling campaigns in international waters has made a stopover in Bermuda and will host an open day tomorrow.
The crew of Neptune’s Pirates, a branch of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, is preparing their ship for their next campaign.
They are on a mission to protect the oceans, guided by the principles of Captain Paul Watson, a pioneer in the fight against illegal poaching.
Their main focus is to disrupt whaling operations, raise awareness about animal cruelty, and advocate for ocean conservation.
“Basically, if they’re whaling in international waters, they’re breaking the law,” explained Larry Routledge, ship manager and bosun.
“Our job is to highlight that, publicize it, broadcast it, and keep it in the media. We try to actively stop them, but without being overly aggressive. We follow a policy of aggressive non-violence, which means actions like crossing their path or using a water cannon to disrupt their operations.”
The flagship vessel, John Paul DeJoria, which is currently moored in Dockyard, is named after the American entrepreneur who generously donated it.
Mr DeJoria has also contributed a second ship, which is currently being prepared in Melbourne to later confront Japanese whalers. This expansion brings Neptune’s Pirates fleet to two ships, increasing their conservation efforts.
However, defending the ocean from the frontlines is not without its challenges.
Mr Routledge said, “We did have some incidents that resulted in a charge being laid against our founder and leader, Paul Watson. He was in jail for five months last year. We were on our way to Greenland after a failed campaign in Iceland – heading through the Northwest Passage to the North Pacific to intercept the Japanese whalers, who had just built a $42-million factory ship and are whaling actively in the North Pacific. We were confronted in Greenland by the Danish police, who arrested our captain and some of our crew members for an incident that happened in 2010. There’s a lot of controversy and politics in the anti-whaling business, but most of the people you’ll find here are doing it on moral grounds. We soldier on and use any controversy we can muster to get some sort of publicity out of it.”
Following the arrests, the crew abandoned their mission and headed to Halifax for the winter. But when bad weather struck, they decided it was more cost-effective to spend the winter in Bermuda.
During their stay, they’ve been maintaining and preparing the vessel for their next campaign, Operation Ice Storm, where they plan to challenge Icelandic whalers who have received permits to hunt this year.
Currently, the crew is operating with a skeleton team of eight, keeping a strict budget as an NGO to ensure that every dollar raised goes directly to their mission.
When they launch their next campaign, the crew will grow to around 30 members.
As a gesture of gratitude to the islanders who have warmly welcomed them, tomorrow, they’re inviting residents onboard for an open house to share what life is like on their ship.
“The Bermudians have been so friendly towards us and so welcoming and hospitable – we thought we’d give them a chance to have a look at what we do, introduce ourselves,” said Mr Routledge. “We have really appreciated the friendliness; it has been overwhelming. It really is one of the friendliest places I’ve been, and we just thought we’d reciprocate some of that.”
Tours will be held on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow.
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