Tropic Air Rescue Quick Facts
Founded: March 1, 2024 (service launch)
What: Fully certified Helicopter Air Ambulance serving the Bahamas
Base/Parent: Fort Lauderdale–based (Tropic Air Charters → Tropic Air Rescue)
Crew: Two pilots + two critical-care paramedics/nurses; trauma-surgeon medical director
Coverage: Bahamas focus with rapid transport to South Florida specialty centers
Availability: 24/7/365 dispatch via dedicated call center
Memberships: Daily, monthly, yearly; individual, family, and yacht/vessel plans (covers all aboard while in the Bahamas)
Billing: Tropic Air Rescue bills member’s health insurer; accepts insurer payment—no additional member payment for transport
Case types: Boating injuries (including spinal), prop/strike & snorkeler accidents, cardiac, stroke, general trauma
Expansion: Additional helicopters and routes across the Caribbean
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Tropic Air Rescue is a lifeline for the Bahamas.
Anthony Marinello was looking for a business opportunity in Fort Lauderdale after the pandemic when he came across Tropic Air Charters for sale. “It had four airplanes when I bought it,” he says. “I purchased two more airplanes shortly after. One day, we had the experience of needing an air ambulance flight for a person needing help in the Bahamas and none could be found. I called fifteen different agencies, and none were available to help. The next day, I began the process to add Helicopter Air Ambulance certifications to our operating certificate. We officially opened for business on March 1, 2024.” Tropic Air Rescue was born, becoming the first fully certified and licensed Helicopter Air Ambulance program servicing the Bahamas full time.
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What kinds of emergencies are you prepared to treat?
Our helicopters are staffed with two highly experienced pilots and two certified critical care paramedics or nurses. They are under the control of the medical director, who is a trauma surgeon. We can handle any emergency that presents itself and offer the most rapid transport to a South Florida specialty medical center.
How does the membership work?
We are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, standing at the ready for calls for help. When you call the dispatch center phone number, provide your name and membership number, the doctor evaluates the issue, and the helicopter is dispatched immediately. We offer daily, monthly, and yearly rates for individuals as well as families. We have also implemented a yacht/boat owner membership program that covers all persons on board your vessel while it is in the Bahamas. Once a rescue is completed, we bill the member’s health insurance provider to cover the cost of the rescue. We accept whatever the insurance company pays for the member’s transport. No other payments are made from the member.
How evident has it become that you were filling a real need for boaters and yachtsmen in particular?
In the short time we have been in operation, we have responded to dozens of boating accidents and injuries throughout the Bahamas.
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How much of what you do involves the Bahamas?
We are the only Helicopter Air Ambulance program serving the Bahamas. The entire purpose of starting this service was to serve the Bahamas.
Can you share any instances where Tropic Air Rescue answered a call to the islands that could otherwise have proven to be a tragedy?
There have been many incidents so far, ranging from serious boating injuries and medical emergencies like heart attacks and strokes, to trauma from accidents. Boating injuries have included everything from spinal fractures sustained while under way to snorkelers being run over by passing boats. The many varied accidents that happen on land also happen while at sail or in port.
What are your plans for the business’s future?
We plan to continue to expand our service offerings with more helicopters throughout the Caribbean.
