Closure of U.S. Pre-clearance Facilities at Lynden Pindling and Grand Bahama Airports

The U.S. Embassy announced that due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions as a result of Tropical Storms Hanna, Ike, and Josephine the U.S. Pre-clearance facilities at both Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, and the Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport, closed at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3. These facilities may possibly remain closed until conditions present them to be reopened. (more)

U.S. Embassy closure due to Hurricane Activity in The Bahamas

The United States Embassy in Nassau will be closed Thursday, September 4 - Monday, September 8 due to hurricane activity in The Bahamas. The U.S. Embassy will resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 9.

Important Hurricane Information for U.S. Citizens

It is now hurricane season. American visitors to and residents in The Bahamas are strongly encouraged to monitor tropical activity regularly.

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) www.nhc.noaa.gov has issued alerts for Hurricane Ike. Please see the attached Department of State Travel Alerts. Further information can found at www.travel.state.gov.

• Warden Message - Hurricane Ike Category 2 storm (September 6, 2008)
• Warden Message - Hurricane Ike (September 4, 2008)
• Warden Message - Tropical Storm Hanna (September 3, 2008)
• Travel warning - Tropical Storm Hanna and Tropical Storm Ike (September 3, 2008)
• Warden Message (September 1, 2008)
• Warden Message (August 30, 2008)

The United States and The Bahamas Proliferation Security Initiative Shipboarding Agreement

On Monday, August 11, 2008 in Nassau, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kirsten D. Madison and Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas T. Brent Symonette signed a bilateral Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) shipboarding agreement.  This is the ninth PSI shipboarding agreement signed by the United States.  The Bahamas has the world’s third largest ship registry, measured by gross tonnage.
This agreement is an important indication of the Bahamas’ commitment to combating WMD proliferation trafficking and its readiness to ensure that maritime vessels flying its flag are not abused by proliferators. (more)

U.S. Government Delivers Interceptor Patrol Boats to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in Handover Ceremony

On August 1, a ceremony to mark the hand-over of four 43-foot interceptor patrol boats as part of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Initiative, Enduring Friendship was held at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force base in Coral Harbour.  The 43-foot interceptor boats are top of the line vessels fitted with the latest state-of-the-art communications and radar equipment.  The total value of the four boats and trucks is $3.3 million.  The Bahamas has already received $2.5 in communications equipment that is currently being installed at various base station locations.  The new boats will enable the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) to intercept smugglers of drugs or weapons who frequently use “go fast” boats.  U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel and the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Tommy Turnquest gave remarks at the event. (more) 

Official remarks by U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel at Handover Ceremony 

Caribbean Regional Sustainable Energy Conference held in Nassau July 23-24

The U.S. Department of State, U.S Embassy Nassau, and the Organization of American States held a two-day regional conference on alternative and renewable energy, at the Sheraton Cable Beach Hotel, Nassau, The Bahamas, July 23-24.  United States Ambassador Ned L. Siegel, and the Honorable Earl Deveaux, Minister of Environment were among the officials giving remarks at the opening of the conference on Wednesday, July 23.

Opening remarks by U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel; Opening remarks by Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Asst. Secretary General, OAS; Opening remarks by The Bahamas' Minister for The Environment, The Hon. Earl Deveaux.

Mrs. Stephanie Siegel participates in the Official Opening of the Breast Centre

On Thursday, July 31, Mrs. Stephanie Siegel, wife of U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel gave remarks at the official opening of the Breast Centre, an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art comprehensive cardiac, cancer and imaging centre.  The event was held at the Centreville Medical Pavilion located on Collins Avenue.

Complete text by Mrs. Stephanie Siegel.

U.S. and New Zealand form International Partnership to develop Clean Energy on Island Nations

On Thursday, July 24, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander “Andy” Karsner and New Zealand’s Ambassador to the U.S. Roy Ferguson signed terms of reference for the International Partnership for Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN), an initiative to further the development of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies on island nations and territories. The initiative signals the commitment of the two countries to cooperate to enhance global energy security and address global climate change through the promotion of clean, renewable, sustainable energy technologies.    Click here for Press Release on EDIN Signing Agreement

Embassy Nassau pays tribute to former U.S. Ambassador Lev Dobriansky during a special Tree Planting Ceremony

On Wednesday, July 23 U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel and his wife Stephanie Siegel hosted a welcome reception for all of the delegates participating in the two-day Energy Conference held at the Sheraton Resort.  During the reception, Ambassador Siegel paid tribute to former U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas Lev Dobriansky who served from 1983-1986.  On hand for the tribute, Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky, who also participated in the Tree Planting Ceremony.

Remarks by Ambassador Ned L. Siegel at welcome reception and tree planting ceremony.