The Government has launched an investigation into the circumstances which led to the boat accident last Wednesday in the vicinity of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), in which four persons sustained injuries.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon revealed on Monday that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) has commenced after Colonel (Retired) Windee Algernon was sworn in as Chairman.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the swearing-in ceremony with Retired Colonel Windee Algernon
In brief remarks following the swearing-in of Algernon, Minister Harmon noted that President David Granger had mandated that an inquiry be conducted to probe the circumstances which led to the accident.
“It is required that you will look into the systems that were in place and whether in fact, there had been any breaches of those systems. [You would also] have to look at whether there is a need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the David G vessels,” he stated.
Colonel Algernon, in her address, has pledged to do her best, noting that inquiries should be conducted so as to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents in the future.
Reports are the three children injured in the accident – Sheniele Machette, Cleaveloyd Edmonds and Iola Thornhill – are students of the Bartica Secondary School, who would cross the river to attend school on a daily basis.
However, they were returning home in the David G boat, captained by 21-year-old Kevin Adonis, when some mechanical difficulties were encountered which led to the accident. The four injured persons were air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they received treatment and were reported as stable. President Granger had later visited the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit where he instructed that an investigation be launched into the matter.
Meanwhile, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman Gordon Bradford had indicated earlier last week that the vessel was inspected by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the inquiry state that the Board is expected to investigate, examine, report and make recommendations on the causes, circumstances and conditions under which the accident took place and to determine whether any systematic or regulatory arrangements contributed to the accident and the extent to which, if at all, the Captain and the crew are liable.
A report is expected to be presented to the Minister of State on March 27, 2018.
