Video: New Boat Donated for Nonsuch Island

Today [Feb 21] a new boat for Nonsuch Island, ‘Ascendant’, was christened in Flatts by Minister of Public Works Derrick Burgess and Ascendant Group President & CEO A.L. Vincent Ingham, with the assistance of Town Crier of St. George’s A. David Frith.

The Ministry of Public Works, Department of Conservation Services and Ascendant Group Limited, marked the first milestone in a partnership that will run through 2020. In June 2010, Conservation Services and Ascendant Group agreed a public-private partnership to assist with the long-term preservation and restoration of Bermuda’s Nonsuch Island nature reserve.

Ascendant Group committed to contribute $50,000 annually for 10 years to assist with Nonsuch Island. One of the first items on Conservation Services’ list of needs was a new Boston Whaler to transport staff and visitors to the island.

Minister Burgess said, “We are delighted with the new Boston Whaler that will help Conservation Services staff with the work that they do to preserve and restore our national treasure, Nonsuch Island, which is a living museum of Bermuda’s unique natural habitats and native species. We are pleased to collaborate with Ascendant Group on a project that benefits the entire Island, as environmental preservation is essential to the health and well-being of our community.”

Mr. Ingham said, “Ascendant Group is committed to supporting organisations and initiatives that protect and enhance the quality of the environment for present and future generations of Bermudians. We were very pleased when Government agreed that we would be able to play a role in the ongoing restoration of Nonsuch Island and its adjacent islands. Of course, we are especially pleased to know that, from today, ‘Ascendant’ will transport Conservation Services staff and visitors to and from the islands.”

Conservation Officer Jeremy Madeiros will be amongst the primary operators of ‘Ascendant’. She will also transport other members of Conservation Services staff, students and researchers and staff of Ascendant Group operating companies, who will help to cull invasive species.

Minister Burgess’s full remarks follow below:

Mr. Vince Ingham, President and CEO of Ascendant Group Limited, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon and thank you for coming today.

We have gathered here in beautiful Flatts this afternoon for two principal reasons:

First, the dedication of Ascendant, a magnificent new vessel that will provide support for the Terrestrial Conservation Programme centered on NonSuch Island Nature Reserve.

Over the last 50 years Nonsuch Island has been slowly transformed into a picture of what Bermuda used to look like before man’s arrival 400 years ago. Recently Nonsuch has become even more important with the establishment of a new breeding Cahow colony from nearby vulnerable rocky islets in our effort to save from extinction one of the rarest birds on earth.

These important conservation efforts continue to be recognized internationally and were highlighted as recently as September 2010 at the World Seabird Conference in British Columbia.

In order to continue the success of this programme, the Ministry of Public Works, through the Department of Conservation Services and Parks, has partnered with the Ascendant Group who will provide financial and physical contributions during the next decade.

The second reason for our gathering today is, therefore, celebration of the first step in a ten year, half million dollar commitment by the Ascendant Group to the Terrestrial Conservation Programme.

During the next 10 years, staff from Ascendant will assist the Department of Conservation staff in the continued restoration of the “Living Museum”. Ascendant Staff will assist in the culling of invasive plants, replanting of native and endemic plants and restoration of habitat.

It is through these associations that Government can not only do significantly more good work but create better connections with local staff that make up these companies. These staff volunteers are able to have the opportunity of taking ownership and pride in the important work that Bermuda does. Such partnerships help put a face to Governments projects.

Ascendant’s support has commenced with an initial contribution of $75,000 to assist with the Nonsuch Island maintenance priorities outlined by Conservation Services including: roof painting, power supply and purchase of this magnificent new 17’ Guardian Boston Whaler.

It is very important that the right boat is chosen for this work. It has to be seaworthy enough to be safely handled in very rough seas but have a shallow enough draft to allow landing on the exposed rocks and small islands that make up the Castle Island Nature Reserve.

I will let Mr. Ingham explain in more detail the commitment Ascendant has made. But on behalf of the Bermuda Government, the people of Bermuda and of course the Cahows – let me offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ascendant Group for its most generous contribution.

Mr. Ingham, I hope the example your company sets will be an inspiration to other companies to assist in preserving Bermuda’s unique environment for future generations of residents and visitors.

Thank you once again and I very much look forward to the official dedication of the vessel Ascendant.

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Category: All, Environment, News