nationbuilder
12-01-06, - 09:17 AM
What a disgrace....
A Cry For Help
By Rogan M. Smith
More than three years have passed since the tragic Sea Hauler-United Star collision, which ended in four deaths and many more injuries. Now the former passengers of that boating accident say the government has repeatedly ignored their requests for assistance, leaving many of them homeless and drowning in debt.
Those who survived the petrifying experience said they are still suffering and see no resolution in sight.
Now many say they are determined and prepared to do whatever it takes to get help.
On Thursday, emotions ran high with former passengers fighting back tears as they recounted tragic tales of how many of them have since been evicted from their homes and forced to live on the streets.
Scores of passengers swarmed Potter’s Cay Dock outraged at the government for not delivering on promises to help them.
Toting placards that read, "What is the government doing to help us – nothing!" and "Where is the money that was donated to help us?" the victims vented their frustrations.
The former passengers said they feel abandoned and ignored.
Sophia Antonia, a former passenger on the Sea Hauler, said to date, she has only gotten $200 from the Cat Island Association to pay for medication.
She said she is frustrated with the government for making "empty promises."
"Why are we being penalized? We are just like any other person who paid to go on a vacation. Our own ended in devastation. Why can’t we get any help from the government? We are the same people who put this government in power. Some questions need to be answered," she said.
"It’s useless calling lawyers. They must be in cahoots with the government. Someone needs to tell me what’s going on. Justice must prevail. I am outraged and they can’t calm me down unless they give me some money."
Rosemary Smith, who was injured on the boat and lost two sisters in the tragedy, said her family has yet to get financial support.
"I watched my two sisters die and I think it’s bad. It’s ridiculous. The government is trying to sweep this under the rug and we’re the ones left struggling. This is not our fault. We paid our money to go on that trip. It’s not fair. These people should not have to come out here and fight repeatedly to get their rights," she said.
Cedric Hart, one of the victims on the Sea Hauler crash, who is a father of seven, said to date he hasn’t received any compensation.
Mr. Hart was airlifted out of the ocean after the accident and reportedly slipped into a coma for more than two years.
One of his legs has since been amputated and he was reportedly forced to live on the streets after he was evicted from his apartment.
"When I woke up out of my coma I tried to get things back in order. I tried to pay the landlord, but it was too much pressure because I still had to take care of my kids. It’s very hard for me to help them when I don’t have the support," he said.
"My bills are piling up and it’s been so hard. I was on the road begging for help. We just want our lives back. I went to the prime minister; I went to [Cynthia] "Mother" Pratt – I went to the highest authority in the country and I got nothing."
Mr. Hart said his son needs a kidney and his condition is worsening because he cannot provide for him.
"When this boat pulled off from the dock, everything was calm and peaceful. When we went out into the ocean our lives were destroyed," he said.
President of the Bahamas Loving Care Organization Sam Williams said he wants the government to come to their aid.
Mr. Williams said he would continue to seek justice for the passengers.
"I am asking the people in authority to please bring some relief to these people. It’s to a point now where the majority of these people are on the streets asking for assistance; they are begging," he said.
"If you sit back and think about it, the families of the people who were killed in the Chalk’s crash have already gotten their settlement cheques. It saddens me to see these people in crisis."
Richard Johnson, president of the Public Service Drivers Union, said he hopes the victims can be compensated for the accident, loss of income and in addition, receive additional funds to support the children of the victims who died.
"It’s unfortunate that after a year that a settlement had been determined they still can’t get their money. It is grossly unfair and someone should take charge and see to it that these people are given their just due because of the negligence on the part of the owners and even the government," he said.
Paul Rolle of the Englerston United Organization said it is time for just compensation.
"They’ve seen hard times, they have kids that are going to school. Many of them have kids in nursery and it is wrong for the government to neglect them in their time of need," he said.
"I want to warn the government of one thing – it seems that they work from the top to the bottom. Just remember, it’s always better to work from the bottom to the top and these people are at the bottom. If you don’t remember these people you would have a short career in the political world."
In spite of the passengers’ claims Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin said her ministry has provided assistance for the crash victims.
"If there is any additional need by way of Social Services, we are certainly willing to give it," she said. "I think what they are more concerned about is compensation or some settlement for the accident itself. I sat down with a few of them personally and spoke to them about their concerns.
"I don’t know why at this point they want to say that they have not been assisted by Social Services because they have and if there’s any additional need they need to approach us and whatever can be done for them will be done. That’s what we’re here for."
In the aftermath of the Sea Hauler-United Star tragedy some of the victims and families of survivors had sought legal advice and the government launched a Wreck Commission for a thorough investigation into the incident.
At least one of the victims is expected to sue over the matter.
A Cry For Help
By Rogan M. Smith
More than three years have passed since the tragic Sea Hauler-United Star collision, which ended in four deaths and many more injuries. Now the former passengers of that boating accident say the government has repeatedly ignored their requests for assistance, leaving many of them homeless and drowning in debt.
Those who survived the petrifying experience said they are still suffering and see no resolution in sight.
Now many say they are determined and prepared to do whatever it takes to get help.
On Thursday, emotions ran high with former passengers fighting back tears as they recounted tragic tales of how many of them have since been evicted from their homes and forced to live on the streets.
Scores of passengers swarmed Potter’s Cay Dock outraged at the government for not delivering on promises to help them.
Toting placards that read, "What is the government doing to help us – nothing!" and "Where is the money that was donated to help us?" the victims vented their frustrations.
The former passengers said they feel abandoned and ignored.
Sophia Antonia, a former passenger on the Sea Hauler, said to date, she has only gotten $200 from the Cat Island Association to pay for medication.
She said she is frustrated with the government for making "empty promises."
"Why are we being penalized? We are just like any other person who paid to go on a vacation. Our own ended in devastation. Why can’t we get any help from the government? We are the same people who put this government in power. Some questions need to be answered," she said.
"It’s useless calling lawyers. They must be in cahoots with the government. Someone needs to tell me what’s going on. Justice must prevail. I am outraged and they can’t calm me down unless they give me some money."
Rosemary Smith, who was injured on the boat and lost two sisters in the tragedy, said her family has yet to get financial support.
"I watched my two sisters die and I think it’s bad. It’s ridiculous. The government is trying to sweep this under the rug and we’re the ones left struggling. This is not our fault. We paid our money to go on that trip. It’s not fair. These people should not have to come out here and fight repeatedly to get their rights," she said.
Cedric Hart, one of the victims on the Sea Hauler crash, who is a father of seven, said to date he hasn’t received any compensation.
Mr. Hart was airlifted out of the ocean after the accident and reportedly slipped into a coma for more than two years.
One of his legs has since been amputated and he was reportedly forced to live on the streets after he was evicted from his apartment.
"When I woke up out of my coma I tried to get things back in order. I tried to pay the landlord, but it was too much pressure because I still had to take care of my kids. It’s very hard for me to help them when I don’t have the support," he said.
"My bills are piling up and it’s been so hard. I was on the road begging for help. We just want our lives back. I went to the prime minister; I went to [Cynthia] "Mother" Pratt – I went to the highest authority in the country and I got nothing."
Mr. Hart said his son needs a kidney and his condition is worsening because he cannot provide for him.
"When this boat pulled off from the dock, everything was calm and peaceful. When we went out into the ocean our lives were destroyed," he said.
President of the Bahamas Loving Care Organization Sam Williams said he wants the government to come to their aid.
Mr. Williams said he would continue to seek justice for the passengers.
"I am asking the people in authority to please bring some relief to these people. It’s to a point now where the majority of these people are on the streets asking for assistance; they are begging," he said.
"If you sit back and think about it, the families of the people who were killed in the Chalk’s crash have already gotten their settlement cheques. It saddens me to see these people in crisis."
Richard Johnson, president of the Public Service Drivers Union, said he hopes the victims can be compensated for the accident, loss of income and in addition, receive additional funds to support the children of the victims who died.
"It’s unfortunate that after a year that a settlement had been determined they still can’t get their money. It is grossly unfair and someone should take charge and see to it that these people are given their just due because of the negligence on the part of the owners and even the government," he said.
Paul Rolle of the Englerston United Organization said it is time for just compensation.
"They’ve seen hard times, they have kids that are going to school. Many of them have kids in nursery and it is wrong for the government to neglect them in their time of need," he said.
"I want to warn the government of one thing – it seems that they work from the top to the bottom. Just remember, it’s always better to work from the bottom to the top and these people are at the bottom. If you don’t remember these people you would have a short career in the political world."
In spite of the passengers’ claims Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin said her ministry has provided assistance for the crash victims.
"If there is any additional need by way of Social Services, we are certainly willing to give it," she said. "I think what they are more concerned about is compensation or some settlement for the accident itself. I sat down with a few of them personally and spoke to them about their concerns.
"I don’t know why at this point they want to say that they have not been assisted by Social Services because they have and if there’s any additional need they need to approach us and whatever can be done for them will be done. That’s what we’re here for."
In the aftermath of the Sea Hauler-United Star tragedy some of the victims and families of survivors had sought legal advice and the government launched a Wreck Commission for a thorough investigation into the incident.
At least one of the victims is expected to sue over the matter.