Owners of the now infamous barge, the United Star, have gotten their vessel up and running again more than two years after their ill-fated voyage ended the lives of four people.
After satisfying requirements outlined by the Port Department – as is the case with any vessel applying for hire in Bahamian waters – the United Star started taking freight again this past Tuesday.
The United Star travels to Colonel Hill, Acklins and Crooked Island.
“Any vessel wanting to ply for hire must first apply to the New Providence Port Authority Board for a license. Once that license has been approved, they must satisfy the Port Department that they have met the inspections, which include safety, the navigational aspect, etc.,” Port Controller Captain Anthony Allens said.
“They must satisfy us that the captain of record is licensed for the vessel they want to ply for hire and that they have a qualified mate onboard and that the necessary safety mechanisms are in place.”
The United Star and the Sea Hauler mail boat collided during the predawn hours of August 2, 2003. At the time the Sea Hauler was on its way to Cat Island.
Four people were killed in the mishap. Twenty-five others were injured.
A comprehensive report found that the captains of both vessels, along with their deckhands were culpable in the maritime accident.
In addition, the handling of the vessels by the respective captains was described as “seriously negligent” as the Sea Hauler had onboard eight times more than the number of passengers authorized by the Port Department, carrying probably as many as 191 passengers.
The United Star carried as many as 31 passengers without any kind of approval, authorities concluded.
The Port Department consequently suspended all excursions, putting in place more stringent measures before allowing them to resume.
“If the boats qualify for excursions, then they can ply,” Captain Allens explained.
“But the fact of the matter is that most of the vessels that applied for excursions are not passenger vessels, but cargo vessels, which persons wish to use for excursion purposes and we’ve taken a stand.
“Unless they can satisfy us that they can carry the passengers they want to carry, they would not be granted permission to do so. That is what has been happening and this is why you are finding that there are fewer excursions now. The vessels cannot accommodate the passengers they wish to carry or enough passengers that would make it economically viable to do so”
Captain Allens has admitted that the suspension of excursions translated into a loss of revenue for organizers.
He could now however reveal a specific amount.
Following the Wreck Commission’s inquiry into the incident, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin revealed that certain recommendations were proposed.
They included fixing the mandatory minimum and maximum number of crewmembers and their required competencies, which “must be sufficient and efficient for the voyage.”
It was also advised that sufficient vital information should be obtained to identify each passengers, fire and safety drills should be carried out and a reformed system for the dispatch of the vessels should be put in place including the boarding of passengers with prepaid tickets only.
According to Captain Allens, “quite a number” of those recommendations have since been put in place.
“Steps are ongoing to see how we can further tighten up to ensure that the maritime environment in The Bahamas is a safe one,” the port controller told the Bahama Journal.
“While it may seem logical for the Port to be present every time a boat conducts a fire drill, we have an obligation to ensure that at least before the license is issued or renewed that the crew goes through this.
“It is physically impossible for the Port to be present every time a vessel sails. So we ensure that these people know how to conduct safety drills and that is what we have aimed to do. The captain is ultimately responsible for whatever goes on on his ship. We, as the regulators must ensure that they have the capabilities of doing so.”
Vessels plying inter-island are required to conduct safety and fire drills each time they sail.
Meantime, vessels plying within Nassau Harbour need only be familiar with where life jackets are located and what should be done in the case of an emergency, according to Captain Allens.
Captain Allens is advising persons to refuse to travel in vessels that fail to conduct safety drills.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
