Proposed Emergency Boat Still Sitting On Dock; Health Services To Select Interim Provider
BVI Platinum News
Updated: February 11, 2013 8:18 am AST
Published: February 10, 2013 10:57 am AST
A patient being transported from the Road Town ferry dock to Peebles Hospital.
Photo Credit: Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News
Not much work has been done to restore the vessel provided to the Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) to provide health emergency trips between Virgin Gorda and Tortola, but plans to have an interim provider in place are moving ahead.

Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Mrs. Darlene Carty Baptiste told reporters last Thursday, February 7, that they have selected a private provider for the emergency service, but further approval will be needed from the BVIHSA Board.

"We have done due diligence on the administrative side and we have selected one of the two [companies that submitted bids for the service]," Mrs. Carty Baptiste stated.

She said that the BVIHSA is just waiting for the provider to supply validated liability coverage. According to the CEO, the BVIHSA took into consideration the provider´s safety, capacity, coverage, after hours and building the comfortable level in the staff for the type of vessel that will used to transport patients.

However, she did not disclose what type of vessel will be used by the service provider.

Chairman of the BVIHSA, John Cline stated that the boat which was identified and handed over by Government to the BVIHSA is in need of repairs before it can be put to use. He confirmed that the boat is still sitting on the dock.

"We are not going to sit and wait for those repairs. As a matter of fact, two companies that have submitted proposals to provide a special boat to for the medical emergencies. We will review each proposal and make a determination soon. This will assist us in the meantime that the repairs are being conducted to the boat which was given to us by Government," Bishop Cline stated.


At a community meeting on Virgin Gorda last year, Cline informed residents of the boat provided by Government and at the time indicated that repairs needed to be made to the engine. Residents lashed out at the plan to repair the boat's engine and suggested that a new boat be sought.
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  • Readers' Opinion
Newcomer | Report Abuse
If the health services authority is anything like the Immigration and Labor Departments then the problem is that there are too many people drawing salaries and all sending bits of paper between each other for anyone to make a decision. If they were less people involved then the salaries saved... more
February 11 at 8:09pm using an iPad  |  Like   Dislike
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Speedy's bonified | Report Abuse
We have people that build boats right here in the BVI. They can get tenders to draw vessel that is suitable for transport of such and that is money in one of our people's pocket and it will be owned by our government. All we need is suitable persons to operate it and maintain it.
February 11 at 2:10pm  |  Like   Dislike
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Biggs | Report Abuse
Get Oil Nut, Scrub, Necker and those to contribute to a boat for the outer islands. They would benefit as well and show that they care about the BVI and not just about their businesses making money. Put their marketing logos etc. on the boat as well and it's a win win. Why we got to make... more
February 11 at 9:45am  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
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Bystander | Report Abuse
The 'donated' boat is owned by government already, and was designed to be used as an emergency rescue boat. The engine repairs will cost $35-40K. I know this for a fact. Go buy ANY boat of that size and capability, and you will spend ten times as much. Of course, looking at the hospital... more
February 11 at 9:29am  |  Like ▪ 8 People like this.   Dislike
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Seeker of TRUTH | Report Abuse
What type of engine cost that much to repair? Is it a high performance engine? Best they just install a new engine? That's a lot of money.
February 11 at 11:08am  |  Like   Dislike
Bystander | Report Abuse
@ Seeker: Two engines, both need repair. New engines would cost much more. This is not a fishing skiff, this is a heavy-duty vessel.
February 11 at 2:43pm  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
reality check | Report Abuse
A power cat would be best, more stable and much safer and smoother ride in rough sea conditions.
February 10 at 5:39pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
The donated boat is not suitable.I agree with this decision.
February 10 at 3:02pm  |  Like ▪ 5 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
Reply
reality check | Report Abuse
The cost to repair anything here may well exceed the cost of purchasing a suitable vessel. We also know that government does not mailtain anything properly ! There are tens of thousands of boats available between here and Miami .. Far better to go and purchase a safe suitable vessel then... more
February 10 at 11:30am  |  Like ▪ 13 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 1 Person dislike this.
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percy sledge | Report Abuse
"sitting on the docks of the bay, watching the tides rolling away"
February 10 at 11:08am  |  Like ▪ 13 People like this.   Dislike
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critic | Report Abuse
Too much lipservice going on in this country...sick of it now
February 10 at 10:59am  |  Like ▪ 11 People like this.   Dislike
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@critic | Report Abuse
dear critic, i agree but why not do something about it rather than be on here every day with negative comments or blaming someone else ? What did you do when your party controlled the government ? Did you demant accountability then ?
February 10 at 12:42pm  |  Like ▪ 5 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 3 People dislike this.
@ @Critic

what is he to do. Buy a boat? people have the right to complain.
February 11 at 12:55am  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
@SNH True, but complainig does not solve the problems. At least offer some positive ideas or suggestion as some have done . A power cat seem to be a very good sensible solution indeed .
February 11 at 9:45am  |  Like ▪ 1 Person like this.   Dislike
Please note that the comments posted are the views and opinion of the commentor and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of the management and staff of Virgin Islands Platinum News and its parent company Platinum Investors Limited.
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