National

Today in History: July 20

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An inaugural flight to Luxembourg, illegal fishing and a massive oil spill. See what events took place on this day in history.

Published

3 years ago

July 20, 2023

Joshua Williams

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history – In 1968, International Air Bahama made its inaugural flight from Nassau International Airport to Findel Airport Luxembourg.

Its formation was influenced by the tourism promotion board during then Prime Minister Lynden Pindling’s administration.

Air Bahama’s crew was international, including people from The Bahamas, the US, Luxembourg, and Sweden to name a few.

The airline was eventually sold to another air company in 1969 and continued its operation until 1982.

Then in 1975 – New York Times article detailed efforts by the Bahamian government to protect marine resources from illegal fishing.

At the time the government enacted a law for the protection of breeding areas of lobsters. The law made it illegal to fish crustaceans in waters adjacent to The Bahamas without a permit.

Many of the fishermen and boat owners at the time were Cuban refugees who had been fishing for years with only a local license.

Others were international fishermen coming to hunt lobsters in international waters.

Some reacted violently to the ban and would defy the law using arms to prevent their boats and catches from being seized.

And finally in 2022 – officials reported a massive oil spill in Exuma. 35,000 gallons of oil spilled turning a once crystal blue water bay into a murky area.

The spill prompted a visit from then Acting Prime Minister and Area MP Chester Cooper and other officials.

The spill happened around 4 o’clock that morning while a vessel was delivering fuel to BPL in the area of the old navy base in Georgetown.

The contracted deliverers of the Mount Arabian company discovered a leak during the discharging process and it was said that they had deployed absorbent pads and containment buoys to quickly contain the area.