Inquiry launched to probe ‘David G’ boat accident

Mar 20, 2018 News

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson during a visit to one of the hospitalised students at GPHC last week.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, yesterday, swore in Colonel (Retired) Windee Algernon as Chairman of the Board of Inquiry (BOI), which has been established to probe the circumstances surrounding the accident, involving a ‘David G’ boat in the vicinity of River’s View, Cuyuni- Mazaruni (Region Seven) on March 14, 2018, in which four persons were injured.

Minister Harmon, in his remarks, noted that the President has mandated that an inquiry be done into the matter.

“It is required that you will look into the systems that were in place and whether in fact there had been any breaches of those systems. [You would also] have to look at whether there is a need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the ‘David G’ vessels.

“I trust that you will utilise your best skills and ability to arise at the conclusion and to make recommendations on how to prevent a recurrence and what needs to be done to ensure that we have a safe system of transportation,” he said in a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency.

Colonel Algernon in her remarks said that she is heartened that she has been chosen for the task even as she pledged to put her best foot forward.

“I feel that these inquiries are necessary if only to prevent a reoccurrence and I am grateful that I have been chosen for this task and I will do my best to present my best report yet,” she said.

According to the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the Board is required to investigate, examine, report and make recommendations on the causes, circumstances and conditions under which the accident took place and to determine whether any systematic or regulatory arrangements contributed to the accident and the extent to which, if at all, the Captain and the crew are liable.

The report is expected to be presented to Minister Harmon on March 27.

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