NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has announced the appointment of Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made April 11, 2019 at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government. Captain Hutchinson succeeds Commodore Davy F. Rolle, who stepped down as managing director last year.

Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Renward Wells said that he was pleased to make the announcement.

“International maritime administration is a field in which The Bahamas continues to excel on a global scale,” said Mr. Wells. “The appointment of Captain Dwain Hutchinson as the Managing Director and CEO of the BMA is another milestone in maritime excellence for The Bahamas.”

Minister Wells said that Captain Hutchinson brings to the post an unusually ‘broad and deep’ list of qualifications and accomplishments.

“He has now assumed a key leadership position in the international maritime regulatory field,” he said. “I congratulate him, and the entire BMA team, on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas.”

He said that the BMA administers one of the major ship registries in the world, overseeing some of the world’s highest profile vessels. “The maritime sector is a major contributor to the economy of The Bahamas and plays a major role in our expansive vision and plan for The Bahamas’ Blue Economy growth. We highlight the BMA’s initiatives for employment in the environment and maritime legislative and regulatory fields.”

The Minister said that as it pertains to employment, the BMA is partnering in support of voluntary initiatives with ship owners to help create on-going job opportunities for Bahamians on board ships globally. In environment, he said that the BMA is engaged in the international regulation of ship-based ballast-water treatment systems, and air emissions from ships, in further support the country’s unique marine environment. In the legislative and regulatory fields, he noted that the BMA is also engaged in the formulation of a new Merchant Shipping Act that would keep the country in the forefront of such legislation worldwide.

Captain Hutchinson stated that he was grateful for the opportunity and looked forward to serving the country to the best of his ability.

“I wish to thank the Government and Bahamian people for this opportunity to serve the country in this capacity,” he said.

Captain Hutchinson completed his maritime studies at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in Scotland, where he attained his UK Master Mariner (Unlimited) STCW certificate. He served at sea for 14 years as a deck officer on a variety of ships before joining The Bahamas Maritime Authority in l996. At the BMA, he has served in various senior executive capacities.

-30-

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Renward Wells speaking during a press conference announcing the appointment of Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Bahamas Maritime Authority. The event was held, April 11, 2019 at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government.   (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson.  (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has appointed Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as its new Managing Director and CEO. The announcement was made at a press conference, April 11, at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government. Pictured l-r: Mr. Cardi Cox, Board Member (BMA); Mrs. Cora Bain-Colebrooke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Local Government; the Hon. Renward Wells, Minister of Transport and Local Government; Mrs. Vernita Denise Lewis Johnson, Chairperson (BMA); Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson, newly appointed Managing Director/CEO (BMA); and Dr. Shawn Thurston, Director (BMA).   (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)