Immigration approves all work permits at UNEXSO

Published: September 28, 2006

The Underwater Explorers Society Ltd. (UNEXSO), the oldest dive operation in Grand Bahama and the operator of the Dolphin Experience, is pleased to announce that the Immigration Department has reversed its prior refusal to grant work permits to our employees.

Today the Immigration Department wrote to Frederick Smith, Counsel for UNEXSO, confirming that it had “reconsidered and approved your application” on behalf of Miss Christina Zenato as a boat caption/scuba instructor for a further year expiring July 21, 2007.

The Immigration Board also confirmed that it had “reconsidered and approved” UNEXSO’s applications for Jamie Doglione as assistant trainer and Amber Renae Heavner as Marine Mammal trainer for a further year expiring July 13, 2007.

The Immigration Board had previously refused to grant such permits and UNEXSO had protested and indicated that it was prepared to launch judicial review proceedings against the Immigration Board to challenge its refusal.

Steve Riely, Manager of UNEXSO said

“I personally wish to extend my gratitude to the Immigration Board for their prompt reconsideration of the work permits for these three individuals.

Miss Zenato has been with the Company for over a decade and she is a trusted employee who contributes in very unique ways to the success of our operation. It would have been a great challenge to continue to do business without her.

The approval of Jamie Doglione and Amber Heavner for the Dolphin Experience is also gratifying, The Dolphin Experience will be able to continue with its programmes and provide entertainment to tourists and continue opportunities for Bahamians to develop skills as dolphin trainers.”

Mr. Smith said

“I am pleased that the Immigration Board was so responsive.

Once this matter came to a head, I can say that Minister Shane Gibson, Mr. Vernon Burrows, Deputy Director of Immigration Mr. McDonald, and Mr. Tyrone Gibson, Director of Labour in Freeport, cooperated fully in reconsidering UNEXSO’s plight. In fact, it was a pleasure doing business with these good gentlemen.

For the record, I should say that on this occasion, they went out of their way to reconsider the relevant issues.

Minister Gibson, accompanied by the rest of his team, accepted an invitation by me to visit UNEXSO’s dive facility and the Dolphin Experience in Sanctuary Bay."

Mr. Smith continued

“Minister Gibson and his team were taken on a tour of the dive facility by Mr. Niall Christoffersen and Miss Veronica Cuccurullo, both Bahamians with many years at UNEXSO. Mrs. Cuccurullo is Manager of the Dolphin Experience and she has been with UNEXSO for 11 years.

Minister Gibson and his team were able to see first hand the scale of the operations, speak to and interact with Bahamians and expatriate employees, observe the operation and obtain firsthand explanations from Miss Cuccarillo and Mr. Christoffersen, which obviously assisted them in the reconsideration process.”

UNEXSO, and the Dolphin Experience, employs 51 Bahamians and 10 expatriates. It has a tremendous social and economic impact on Freeport It pays over $1,000,000 per year in salaries and spends over $1,000,000 per year buying food products, bar and restaurant supplies, paying utility, telephone, maintenance and repair bills.

Over the last three years, it has spent over $3,000,000 in completely renovating its physical structure as well as installing completely new docks, dolphin enclosures and interaction areas at the Dolphin Experience.

Mr. Steve Riely said

“Mr. Bscher is very excited about the future of UNEXSO and the Dolphin Experience in Freeport. He has already invested over $10,000,000 in Freeport and he has plans to invest an additional $10,000,000 on the Dolphin Experience to create a first class and unique marine mammal park to be one of the premier tourist attractions in the region.

Prior to the 2004 hurricanes, over 50,000 tourists a year came through UNEXSO’s doors. So far in 2006, over 35,000 guests have enjoyed our scuba diving or dolphin experience. Of this, 9,000 came off the cruise ships and the remaining 26,000 had hotel stays, used local restaurants, taxis and purchased goods.

Just these guests make an enormous economic impact on Freeport.”

Mr. Riely continued

“UNEXSO employs as many as 72 people during the busy season and with the development of the park at the Dolphin Experience as well as additional activities that are scheduled to be added, there may be as many as 100 employees by mid 2007.

Since becoming General Manager of UNEXSO, I have reinstated many programmes which had faded out and instituted new cave diving, shark feeding trainer and other activities. We have also opened our facilities to regular school class room visits and regular opportunities for high schools students to learn how to dive.

I have only just moved to Freeport and Mr. Bscher and I have great plans. I thoroughly enjoy living in Freeport and will do my best to ensure the continued growth and success of the UNEXSO, the Dolphin Experience, and the Grand Bahama tourism product.

I look forward to working in cooperation with the Labor & Immigration Department for the mutual benefit of the community and the profit of the company.”

Ms. Zenato said

“I am really happy that this whole thing has been cleared up. Over the last 12 years I have made Freeport my home. I saved up and bought a small condominium. I love the people here in Freeport who have always welcomed and encouraged me.

Over the years I have really spent a lot of time and money developing my skills and travelling abroad to learn about sharks, cave diving and sophisticated scuba diving techniques.

There is so much that I can contribute to the community and the success of UNEXSO.

I am really comfortable here in Freeport. I am also very grateful to UNEXSO for agreeing to help to pay for my permanent residence application.

Now that I can find the $10,000 I will apply immediately. I look forward to becoming a permanent member of the community and helping to make Freeport a better place.”

Mr. Smith said

“Freeport is on the verge of economic collapse. The kind of dispute which erupted between the Immigration Department and UNEXSO was thoroughly bad for business. It sent a terribly negative message to investors, both Bahamian and foreign, but that the fact that we have been able to patch things up in such a sensible way has sent an even stronger message to investors, and that is that the Immigration Department can work in partnership with the private sector successfully.”

Submitted by Frederick Smith



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