Blue Lagoon ferry back in service

Transport and Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis.

As of Thursday, December 21, 2023

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said the Port Department has approved Blue Lagoon Island to restart its ferry services “subject to the revised operational protocols”.

Her ministry had suspended the excursion company’s commercial ferries pending an investigation into the near-sinking of one of its boats, the Islander III, which led to a tourist’s death on November 14.

The company’s licence was suspended for at least one month.

The Ministry of Transport had suspended the excursion company’s commercial ferries pending an investigation into the near-sinking of one of its boats, the Islander III, which led to a tourist’s death on November 14.

Although it is unclear what new operational protocols the company must follow, Mrs Coleby-Davis said a comprehensive review of the operations and safety inspection of the company’s vessels were undertaken.

“The licence holder fully cooperated with the port and implemented a number of adjustments to the operations following the review,” she said.

Acting Port Controller Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright told The Tribune last month that the catamaran that teetered fully complied with sector regulations, as did the captain.

He said the boat had the required number of life preservers, the vessel was registered with the Port Department, the captain was licensed, and the boat’s registration and insurance were up to date.

Passengers on the catamaran complained that staff panicked and didn’t help them as the ship sank.

Lt Cdr Wright said while this may become apparent as investigations continue, staff conduct is a matter for the company and its internal operating procedures, not something addressed by existing laws and regulations.

Gayle Jarrett, 75, died during the incident. Her relatives told news organisations they were considering legal action.

Ms Jarrett had used her inheritance money to take her family on a five-day Caribbean trip honouring a family matriarch who had passed away before her gesture ended with her own death.

ExposedU2C 11 months, 1 week ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

bahamianson 11 months, 1 week ago

There is a law for politicians and a law for you. They don't pay bills , you do. They get all the perks, you don't. They get all the best jobs and hook ups , you don't. They were regular civilians beforw the election, now they are above you. That is the way it is.

DiverBelow 11 months, 1 week ago

STOP ACCEPTING MEDIOCRE SERVICE OR ACTIONS... This is an attorneys response to minimal requirements for operations. A boat sank in rough waters in an shallow bay. Why did they leave the dock in those wind conditions with a full load ? Why was there water intrusion into it's hull? Was it a burst hose, a cracked weld, an object hit? A woman invested in a pleasure trip, only to have died before her family. Could better trained professional crew instead of panicked individuals have lessened the situation? Did they know how to swim or be familiar with working on the water? I Doubt it, by the reports. BAHAMAS STOP ACCEPTING MEDIOCRACY. IT'S A REFLECTION ON US.

ThisIsOurs 11 months, 1 week ago

I still find it extremely troubling that the head of a transport safety organization makes a statement that says every vessel has to come up with their own safety rules, it's none of our business and nobody in authority has corrected it, but surprise! After the story dies down the company back in operation. No press conference to detail what changed to save lives. Can you imagine the head of the FTAA making such a dumb statement about evacuation protocols?