Wednesday, August 26 2009

Why is the name of the driver of the pirogue which crashed into the kayak being kept a mystery?

Ten days have passed since a 28-foot pirogue, named Andelle, crashed into a kayak in Scotland Bay, seriously injuring three persons in the kayak. Eyewitnesses have reported that the pirogue, had been speeding close to smaller craft in the inner part of Scotland Bay, where persons also were swimming. It has also been reported that the operator of the pirogue was an Army private.

The pirogue struck the side of the kayak with sufficient force to break it in two, and the propeller of the 200 horsepower engine is believed to have ripped into the victims, one of whom had her arm almost severed. It is almost a miracle that no one was killed in this incident, and credit must be given to the crew of a Coast Guard vessel that was on spot to rescue the injured, and to stabilise them and get them to hospital.

It seems that the doctors who attended to the injured, especially to young Paige Welch whose arm they apparently have saved, did exceptional work, and this is probably the only good news — if anything can be considered good — in this whole affair.

But our main concern is the mystery which continues to surround the Army private who was the operator of the pirogue involved in this very serious accident. Why are the Police, the Coast Guard and the Army keeping this man’s identity a secret? If one of the victims had been killed, would this man’s name still be withheld? Was he on some form of Army duty as he sped among the smaller craft in Scotland Bay that day? The information so far indicates that the soldier was off duty.

Remember, it was reported that a Coast Guard vessel was in close proximity to the pirogue, which was travelling at high speed, with its bow high in the water, making it difficult for the operator to see in front of him. So, was there some connection between the presence of the speeding pirogue (and was it an Army pirogue, or a privately owned one — and who then is the owner?) and the Coast Guard vessel?

Why should the operator and the owner of the pirogue be shielded from public knowledge in this whole affair? Surely, and without accusing anyone of any wrongdoing at this time, all of the answers to these questions belong in the public domain. If the victims decide to take legal action in this matter, whom shall they sue? The Army, the Coast Guard, the owner of the pirogue — whoever that may be — or the Army private — whoever he may be?

Once again, a serious accident has occurred in our boating and marine recreation fraternity. Once again, the need for some formal rules and accreditation of small marine craft operators is exposed. Unless regulations are made and enforced, these and worse incidents will happen again.

If this was a traffic accident, the owners and operators of the vehicles would be public knowledge. We call upon the Army, the Coast Guard and the Police to issue the name of the owner and the operator of the pirogue involved in this very serious incident. By keeping these names secret, the authorities are encouraging speculation as to what happened and why they are protecting a colleague who may be responsible for causing serious injury to three persons.

The silence of the authorities is too much. We want answers. How the entire affair is being treated is appallingly disrespectful to the public.