The collision of the MV Sea Hauler and United Star left four persons dead and some 25 others injured.
Minister of Transport and Aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martin, told the Guardian Sunday that the hearing, scheduled to convene at 10 a.m., will start with opening statements from the Wreck Commissioner and Lead Counsel for the hearings, Cheryl Grant-Bethel, Director of Public Prosecutions.
Open to members of the public, hearings will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Witnesses are scheduled to begin giving their evidence on Tuesday morning. Port Controller, Captain Anthony Allens, will be the first witness called to the stand. Todate, some 80 persons have been summoned to appear before the commission, which is expected to run for some 12 weeks.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act, Retired Supreme Court Justice Joseph Strachan has been appointed by the Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs, Mrs. Hanna-Martin, as Wreck Commissioner.
Assessors appointed to assist the Commissioner, in accordance with Section 243 of the Act, are former marine pilot, Sir Durward Knowles, and former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore, Leon Smith.
“The investigation will address the events surrounding the collision of the vessels, circumstances surrounding the collapse of the hydraulic crane used for lifting freight on an off the MV Sea Hauler, the circumstances surrounding the death of the four passengers as well as injuries sustained by the 25 passengers on the Sea Hauler,” Minister Hanna-Martin said.
On completion of the formal investigation, the Wreck Commissioner will submit a report and evidence gathered to the Minister of Transport and Aviation.
“I think there may be some kind of apprehension on the part of some parties that this is an exercise that will not reach its full fruition; that we will go through the full process and at the end of the day nothing will come out of it. That will not happen,” Minister Hanna-Martin announced.
“We will ensure that whatever is recommended, in terms of ensuring that this kind of thing does not happen, or minimise the possibility of it happening again, that those measures will be implemented. I will ensure that happens,” she said.
The question of any criminal charges being levied at the end of the hearing was left unanswered.
Mrs. Grant Bethel said she expects to be completed marshaling the evidence within an eight-week period, assuming that there are no unusual legal challenges. The additional four weeks will be for the Commissioners to retire and consider the evidence, as they have to prepare a full report in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act for submission to the Minister, she said.
During the preliminary inquiry stage, more than 45 of the 194 passengers came forward to give evidence. The report, facilitated by a special committee headed by Captain Glen Bain, a nautical inspector with the Bahamas Maritime Authority, was given to the Transport Minister who in turn presented it to Cabinet.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
