In The Aftermath Of A Tragedy:

Bahama Journal Editorial:
Nassau, Bahamas:

Some three years ago, the nation was "numbed by the tragedy that unfolded at sea in the early hours of the morning of Saturday 2nd August, 2003 in The Bahamas."

Here reference is to the Sea Hauler tragedy.

The same observer noted that "it has increasingly become a time when mail boats have special hires with masses of people going to the Out Islands for a weekend of relaxation and fun."

As she described the custom: "weekend excursions of overcrowded boats leave New Providence on the evening after work on the Friday and return in the early hours of the morning of the following Tuesday…

"Everyone –she continued - "suspects that the ships are dangerously over crowded and ill equipped for transporting people. They are after all mail boats, and essentially cargo ships."

And, three years ago, the Hon. Glennys Hanna Martin had quite a lot to say about the Sea Hauler tragedy on the high seas. Among other fine words, were these: "I wish at this time to commend the efforts of all the Government agencies which have co-ordinated their roles in the rescue and emergency exercises which have taken place. In particular I wish to commend those who have shown great courage and dedication in the face of this tragedy. We thank the United States Government for its timely assistance with personnel and hardware in this effort."

She was explicit with what seemed a heartfelt message to the victims of that tragedy, as she said: "Finally to the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have suffered injury, some serious; I extend on behalf of the Government our heartfelt condolences. I add my personal condolences and that of my family. I pray that the Almighty will sustain in this time of great sorrow in your lives."

The relevant facts suggest that sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Saturday 2nd August, the barge United Star, said not to have had its running lights on, collided with the Sea Hauler, a mail boat. The barge was coming from Cat Island. The mail boat was loaded with 194 passengers and 7 crew. Most of the passengers were sleeping on the deck."

Of crucial importance is the fact that the Sea Hauler had a crane on it. As important is the fact that the crane’s moorings had rusted to a considerable degree,

It is widely believed that "the captain of the Sea Hauler saw the barge coming at the last minute and tried to take evasive action. The action may have saved lives, since the impact of the hit was on the side near the crane on the mail boat. The boat did not sink. But the crane fell over and crushed several people. There are six people reported dead. There were some 17 injuries."

Three years later, the tragedy continues for many of those people.

Some have been left impoverished.

Others have been left crippled for life.

And yet again, one or two have been left so distressed that they have taken to the streets as beggars.

In the meantime, the legal issues involved in this case remain to be resolved.

For a while, the victims thought that they should hold on just a while longer.

Their patience has worn out.

We are not at all surprised. That is so because there are times in life when enough already is –quite literally- the moral equivalent of more than enough.

Such seems the state of mind of those who now take their protests and cries to the streets.

Clearly believing that they have been wronged, some of these people have taken their protests and cries to some of this city’s most busy streets. In one instance, one or two of these people had themselves handcuffed to gates in front of the Prime Minister’s house.

This provocation had its intended result. In short order, there was media focus and attendant broadcast of their anguished hue and cry.

We are today absolutely convinced that those people who are aggrieved should avail themselves of all legal avenues available and also that they should at all times reach out to media.

If those who were injured are ever to be compensated, then they must take the appropriate action against those parties who they believe are liable.

They will get nowhere calling names or merely making accusations.

We call on the victims to use our Legal system to their benefit.

22 December 2006

Bahamian Law