Film crew injured as coastguard vessel hits barge
Elton Bennett
As we said earlier, there was an accident on the sea over the weekend. It involved a film crew, the Belize Coastguard and a semi-submerged barge. A few of the people on board the Coastguard's Boston Whaler were injured and according to Lieutenant Commander Elton Bennett, the cause of the accident is being investigated.
Lt. Commander Elton Bennett, Belize Coastguard
"One of the coast guard vessels moving from Belize City to St. George's Caye had a collision on a semi submerged barge located on the west side of the Drowned cayes. The vessel was moving along with two other coastguard vessels. We were transporting crew members for a film in Belize, the coastguard is participating in. And unfortunately it was still a bit dark and the captain of the vessel managed to run over the semi submerged object."
Jose Sanchez
"Was anyone injured in that crash?"
Lt. Commander Elton Bennett
"There were three minor injuries on board. One of the participants in the film received a broken leg and the other one received a broken tooth. And one complained of bruises on his ankle."
Jose Sanchez
"These were coastguard members or part of the film crew?"
Lt. Commander Elton Bennett
"The injured personnel were part of the film crew. There were no injuries to any of the Coastguard members."
Jose Sanchez
"Now the Boston Whalers are very expensive vessel donated under the CARSI Program. What damages were made to the vessel and can it be repaired?"
Lt. Commander Elton Bennett
"The damages sustained to the vessels include three damaged royal units in the form of damaged propellers. We don't know exactly at this point to what extent the power head has been damaged. But so far it indicates no damage; only to the lower unit. And also some scratches to the keel of the vessel. It is repairable so we are doing an inquiry into the accident itself to determine what is the cause of the accident. Was it human error? We are also looking at the cost of repairing the vessel at this time."
Jose Sanchez�
"So for the moment the vessel is moored here at Coastguard Headquarters?"
Lt. Commander Elton Bennett
"Yes it is on dry dock at the Coastguard. The vessel came back on its own from the location of the accident towards this location so it is still moving around."
Bennett says that the Coastguard has ended all activities with the film company. Although the Boston Whaler was on the compound, and would have been showcased in a movie, permission was not granted to video the vessel in its damaged state.
Channel 5
from a friend
This is a highly sanitized report - there were multiple broken bones and lost teeth - only a passing remark made about the Coast Guard ending all activities with the film crew - how were they engaged and why? There's more to this than meets the eye - where are the investigative reporters when we need them? As the story noted the boat would have been filmed in the movie but no photographs were allowed after the accident. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!
more comments...
Just points and other questions:
There were two other vessels, were they moving together, which was in the lead, were they running with GPS(if not why not), did any of the other vessels have contact(with each other or the wreck), is the wreck's position in the CG GPS's(if not why not), what was the time of the incident(what time was sunrise), What is the name and rank of the OIC of the mission, what are the names and ranks of the three helmsmen, do all three have appropriate rank and training to skipper/helm the vessels(at least equal to the standards of privately registered vessels), was there a lookout posted(who), who does the wreck belong to, did all persons have on life jackets(high speed at night, what was speed at time of contact(may be in GPS)), was there a working fire extinguisher on board, how long has the wreck been there,is the owner responsible for removing it or marking it, is the owner of the sunken vessel going to be charged or billed for the damages, who is liable for the cost of the injuries, were the injured film crew local or foreign and where are they now, will there be an assessment of damage by a marine assessor and will the value be released?
The helmsman/skipper of the damaged CG vessel and/or the OIC is apparently guilty of causing damage to a vessel and harm to others by careless/negligent operation (proceeding at speed(higher than can allow evasive action, given the visibility) in low visibility in a known hazardous area(obviously the CG would have knowledge of the wreck)), what is the procedure for further investigation, if the damaged vessel was following a vessel with the OIC will the OIC be considered responsible?
These are all very legitimate questions that the reporter may consider in a follow-up interview; there would be many more questions in the vessel could be seen. Is the hull damage just to the gelcoat, is it into the mat or roving, was the hull penetrated, prop damage, shaft damaged/bent, engine skeg damaged, does "foot" have to be replaced, was transom damaged as engines kicked up and slammed back down under power, was the helmsman thrown from the helm, was helmsman wearing a power shut-off lanyard, did power shut down or did vessel continue to run?