SXM Worried About Invasion Of Hurricane-Damaged BVI Vessels

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(PLTM) - A large number of hurricane-damaged vessels from the BVI are ending up in St. Martin hoping to get repaired and potentially putting further strain on salvage or rescue operations there, according to a report published by The Daily Herald on May 21.

According to the publication, authorities are worried about the possible increase in the number of wrecks not yet salvaged.

An example of this was a French-side rescue SNSM mission on Friday, May 18. Surveillance centre CROSS contacted SNSM at 4:00pm after a witness reported a catamaran sinking in the bay of Anse Marcel.

Four volunteer SNSM crew members responded to the call on the Rescue Star with a motor pump at the ready. On arrival, the vessel in question turned out to be a Nautitec Open 40 catamaran, almost completely submerged in three metres of water but still attached to its mooring from the bow.

It was realised that the motor pump was not appropriate and this was a salvage job using divers and air balloons to raise the vessel. There was no one on board. After taking an exact GPS position of the vessel, the SNSM crew returned to Marina Fort Louis without being able to help.

SNSM said in its release that it had learned later that the catamaran had lost its mast and sank in the BVI during Hurricane Irma.

Following hurricanes Irma and Maria, nine out of ten boats which sailed the BVI waters were destroyed.

Last month, owners of vessels operating in the BVI waters were reminded to properly insure their boats before the beginning of the 2018 hurricane season.

In a press release, government said that in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act of the Virgin Islands, every vessel, including pleasure and commercial boats, whether unregistered or registered in the Virgin Islands or overseas, is required to carry insurance coverage against risks and loss or damage to third parties, and against wreck removal expenses.

The act further states that an owner or operator of a boat which is not insured as required above, commits an offence and is liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars.

Acting Director for the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry and Receiver of Wrecks, Captain Raman Bala said that the catastrophic effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria not only affected the entire Virgin Islands, but they were also very harsh on boat and ship owners.

The Captain said, “There has been widespread damages and wrecking of vessels. The owners of those vessels that carried insurance have been properly compensated and boats disposed."

He continued, "There are still hundreds of boats that are uninsured and most appear to be abandoned by their owners on our beaches, private lands and coast. If these boats are not removed, there will be direct consequences to the economy in terms of environment, tourism and conduct of commerce.”

Captain Balla added that even if the government discard these boats, there is provision in the law to recover the costs from boat owners.

"Therefore, it makes great sense to insure these vessels well in advance to the 2018 hurricane season.”

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