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  4. CBP Continues Rescue Operations of Bahamian Survivors of Hurricane Dorian

CBP Continues Rescue Operations of Bahamian Survivors of Hurricane Dorian

Release Date
Fri, 09/06/2019

CBP Teams also Staged in the Carolinas to Support Response Efforts

** Editor’s Note: Downloadable imagery can be acquired at the following links:

MIAMI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continued to airlift Hurricane Dorian survivors Thursday from devastated areas in Abaco Island and Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas while staging response teams in the Carolinas to support potential rescue operations there.

CBP Air and Marine Operations agents conduct search and rescue operations in Abaco Island and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Sept. 5, 2019. The islands were devastated by Hurricane Dorian. CBP Photo Kris Grogan
CBP AMO helicopter crews airlift
hurricane Dorian survivors from Abaco
Island and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.

So far, CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) H60 Blackhawk helicopter crews have airlifted 80 Bahamas and United States citizens to hospitals or local shelters in Nassau, Bahamas.

“Customs and Border Protection is pleased that we can help our neighbors in the Bahamas respond to and recover from this horrific hurricane by airlifting injured and stranded survivors to safety,” said CBP’s Region IV Lead Field Coordinator Diane J. Sabatino. “CBP is a vital border security agency that possesses a wide variety of personal and technical capabilities ideally suited for these types of life-saving and humanitarian missions.”

Additionally, CBP AMO P-3 aircraft crews continue to fly real-time coastal damage assessment missions and serve as local air traffic controller missions for interagency aircraft supporting Bahamas response efforts.

Meanwhile, CBP aircraft, trailers, vessels, and agents and officers are staged in the Carolinas and ready to support federal, state and local emergency response efforts once Hurricane Dorian passes. These units may conduct swift-water rescue, advanced life-saving care, and aerial and urban search and rescue.

CBP Air and Marine Operations agents conduct search and rescue operations in Abaco Island and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Sept. 5, 2019. The islands were devastated by Hurricane Dorian. CBP Photo Kris Grogan
CBP aircrews delivers water to
Bahamas Police after Hurricane Dorian.

CBP Region IV covers Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands.

Historically, CBP officers and agents support local, state, and federal agency partners during natural or man-made disasters or other national emergencies. CBP contributes a variety of personnel and unique capabilities — including aerial and urban search and rescue, advanced first aid, and aviation assets with real-time aerial damage assessment and tracking and detection capabilities.

CBP’s highest priorities during a hurricane responses are to promote life-saving and life-sustaining activities, the safe evacuation of people leaving the impacted area, the maintenance of public order, the prevention of the loss of property to the extent possible and the speedy recovery of the region.

For information updates on preparedness and response efforts follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Instagram, Flickr and Twitter at @CBP, @CBPFlorida and @CBPSoutheast

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021