Bahamas ATC no licences or medical certificates

[Super VC-10]

Interesting report from AAID Bahamas following a near miss at Nassau, Bahamas. ATC personnel with no medical certificate and not having had refresher training since 2007.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/fbeb16_16f9cbd0fb624e3a942cf035985ef370.pdf

[Nimmer]

That report is quite staggering. I am stunned that it appears that such a cowboy operation is being run in the Bahamas. As a controller with 25 years experience, and a current medical and licence i would be very happy to help out in the Bahamas.

Seriously though, there are loads of questions to be asked as how someone can be working without a medical or indeed a current licence.

[ATC Watcher]

Welcome to the outside world. There are many places around the globe where this is common unfortunately but all this is not illegal according ICAO . not so safe maybe but not illegal . . It is in many places up to the controller to ensure he is in possession of a valid medical certificate, not the employer.
As to the licence,you need to be licensed ( i.e checked by the authority that you are licensed to work ) but having a paper thing is not mandatory. Many States do not issue a "paper licence"
As to refresher training , it is recommended, but unfortunately not mandatory..

[30W]

From the official investigation, all rather shocking...

Additional Findings of Significance

Air Traffic Controller

- Medical Certificate had expired
- ATC license was not issued

Bahamas Air Navigation Services Division

At the time of this incident and commencement of this investigation it was noted that BANSD had;

- No documented process to track medical status of Air Traffic Controllers
- No ATC personnel in possession of required ATC licenses.
- Several ATC personnel were operating without the required current medical certificates.

3 ATC management advised this practice is not unusual having one controller manning more than one frequency at a time.

However, the internal review conducted have concluded that this practice is unsafe (especially at periods of high traffic volume) and have made recommendations to address this unsafe condition.

NOTE: An Air Traffic Control license with associated endorsed ratings, as well as a current medical certificate is required by Bahamas Civil Aviation General Regulations (CAGR) Schedule 8, Subpart B and Subdivision IX, when exercising the privileges of any required certificate.