The small aircraft made its inaugural landing on the Virgin Gorda airport yesterday morning October 7, 2014 bringing with it Mr Reginald Anderson, MASA’s Senior Vice President of International Marketing (right)and Mr. Dusty Cook (left) the company’s Director of Transport. Photo: VINO

What brought persons to their feet was when a thirteen year old boy took to the microphone and in a very firm tone said, “When seconds counts, count on MASA.” The lad was the son of Ms Lorna Tom who testified that just about two days after seriously planning to cancel her policy with the company she met in an accident and had it not been for her coverage at the time, the joys she experiences through the life of her son today would not have had a slim chance. Photo: VINO

A formal ceremony was held at the airport to mark the significant event. Photo: VINO

Mr. Anderson informed those present that it took the insistence and dedication of their agent Mr Warrant D. Wintz that forced the hands of MASA to do whatever was necessary in the interest of residents of Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

In the instance of another testimonial which came from Mr Maurice Marchand who had suffered a serious heart attached back in 2012 while on Duty at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, the story was told of how he in the nick of time had upgraded his insurance police to accommodate MASA. Photo: VINO

District Officer for Virgin Gorda Mr Verne Wheatley was on spot to give his blessing and welcome the new service to the island. Photo: VIINO

The company regrets that their ability to fly in their larger aircraft was impossible because of the size of the runway on Virgin Gorda but told residents of their ability to be on spot in matters of minutes when needed. They said that the process of the local clinic or hospital sending the necessary information to them is what determines the time of responding to calls for the service. MASA services were said to have been brought to the Virgin Islands by Mr Alphonso Warner over 20 years ago and have since been credited for making a difference in the medical responses to many of their clients operating from the main island of Tortola. Photo: VINO

As MASA has evolved over the years, it has adapted to the changing needs of a mobile working class and the availability of specialized medical care not available locally. Photo: VINO

Scene from MASA ceremony which launched their air ambulance service in Virgin Gorda yesterday October 7, 2014. Photo: VINO

A section of the audience at the launch of the ambulance service in Virgin Gorda yesterday October 7, 2014. Photo: VINO

Another section of the audience. Photo: VINO

A member of the audience seeking clarification from the officials. Photo: VINO

A member of the audience posing a question to the head table. Photo: VINO

A scene from yesterday's launch in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

Scene from MASA ceremony which launched their air ambulance service in Virgin Gorda yesterday October 7, 2014. Photo: VINO

The small aircraft made its inaugural landing on the Virgin Gorda airport yesterday morning October 7, 2014 bringing with it Mr Reginald Anderson, MASA’s Senior Vice President of International Marketing and Mr. Dusty Cook the company’s Director of Transport.

The development means much to the company and this was obvious from the moment the aircraft landed as the two executives emerged in an obvious mode of celebration. A formal ceremony was held at the airport to mark the significant event and it was at that stage that Mr. Anderson informed those present that it took the insistence and dedication of their agent Mr Warrant D. Wintz that forced the hands of MASA to do whatever was necessary in the interest of residents of Virgin Gorda.

But what brought persons to their feet was when a thirteen year old took to the microphone and in a very firm tone said, “When seconds counts, count on MASA.”

The lad was the son of Ms Lorna Tom who testified that just about two days after seriously planning to cancel her policy with the company she met in an accident and had it not been for her coverage at the time, the joys she experiences through the life of her son today would not have had a slim chance.

“If you are ever planning to cancel do not do it, you never know,” said Ms Tom. She shared with those present that she told her boss one Friday afternoon some 13 years ago that the following Tuesday which was next working day, the Monday being a national holiday, she was going to be cancelling her policy.

She was just six months pregnant at the time and while driving the Monday, found herself in an accident resulting in her prematurely immediately giving birth to her son. Rushed to the hospital in urgency she was told of the very slim chance of the 4 pound baby surviving and would require her being air-ambulanced to an overseas hospital immediately.

“That was when seconds counted for me and my child. They asked me if I had MASA coverage and I told them that I was about to cancel it the following day and they told me it was my only chance at saving my baby so I had to have an immediate change of heart,” said Ms Tom.

In the instance of another testimonial which came from Mr Maurice Marchand who had suffered a serious heart attached back in 2012 while on Duty at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, the story was told of how he in the nick of time had upgraded his insurance police to accommodate MASA.

He recalled that he found himself in a medical emergency which would have seen him being taken to a nearby medical facility in Puerto Rico where he said he had known no one and the hope of a proper support networking with his family was very slim.

“Because I was taken to Miami and not to Puerto Rico where I had no family support whatsoever, made a world of difference to my treatment and recovery. I am therefore grateful to God for the way things turned out and I do believe that upgraded MASA coverage to USA was working for me also,” said Mr Marchand.

The company regrets that their ability to fly in their larger aircraft was impossible because of the size of the runway on Virgin Gorda but told residents of their ability to be on spot in matters of minutes when needed. They said that the process of the local clinic or hospital sending the necessary information to them is what determines the time of responding to calls for the service.

MASA services were said to have been brought to the Virgin Islands by Mr Alphonso Warner over 20 years ago and have since been credited for making a difference in the medical responses to many of their clients operating from the main island of Tortola.

As MASA has evolved over the years, it has adapted to the changing needs of a mobile working class and the availability of specialized medical care not available locally. In addition to the strong base of retail members MASA has accumulated over the years, it has also started doing “group” business over the last several years and its membership and endorsement list includes such high profile entities as the International College of Surgeons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Honda, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, The Neptune Society, U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employees, AIG Mexico, (British) Virgin Islands Government Employees, The Bahamas Government Employees, The Anguilla Government Employees, The St. Vincent Government Employees, The St. Lucia Government Employees, Kawasaki, numerous Retired Teachers Unions, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, etc.