As the country recovers from the weekend’s deadly boat collision off the west coast, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) says it will review the investigation’s findings to determine whether additional safety measures are needed.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is leading the investigation, and SLASPA says it is helping through its Department of Maritime Affairs by providing the required regulatory and technical support.
The authority said it plans to carefully assess the outcome of the investigation.
“Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Authority will carefully review its findings and recommendations and, where appropriate, implement measures to further strengthen maritime safety in Saint Lucia,” it said.
SLASPA also confirmed its role as the country’s maritime regulator and said it is committed to keeping Saint Lucia’s waters safe and well-managed through regulations, oversight, collaboration with stakeholders and public awareness.
The authority offered condolences to the families and friends of those who died and acknowledged the extent to which this tragedy has affected the wider maritime community.
“This heartbreaking incident has deeply saddened the maritime community and the nation as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured or otherwise affected by this tragedy, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.”
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision as the search continues for the bodies of those still missing.
Full SLASPA statement
The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) extends its deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, and friends of the individuals who tragically lost their lives following the boating collision off the coast of Saint Lucia.
This heartbreaking incident has deeply saddened the maritime community and the nation as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured or otherwise affected by this tragedy, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident. In keeping with its statutory responsibilities, SLASPA, through its Department of Maritime Affairs, is providing the necessary regulatory and technical support to the relevant authorities as required during the investigative process. The Authority will continue to cooperate fully with the investigating agencies.
SLASPA remains committed to fulfilling its mandate as Saint Lucia’s maritime regulator by promoting the safe and orderly use of the nation’s waters through effective regulation, oversight, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness. Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Authority will carefully review its findings and recommendations and, where appropriate, implement measures to further strengthen maritime safety in Saint Lucia.
On behalf of the Authority, we once again extend our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families during this difficult time. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the support of their families, friends, and the wider community.
Yol always there after the fact!!! ALWAYS REACTIVE…not saying this you could have prevented this calous act by those operators, but the recipe is solid for more collisions in the rodney bay to pigeon point corridor. You have jet skis competing with swimmers at the shoreline at pigeon point beach, Madness.
Lucia is not a real place…..Unbelievable it had to take an accident of this magnitude to enforce safety
SAFETY SHOULD BE FIRST
Maritime safety encompasses global regulations and procedures designed to protect human life, prevent marine pollution, and secure vessels at sea. Driven by international treaties like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and enforced by the IMO (International Maritime Organization), it relies on collision avoidance, seaworthiness, and rigorous crew training.
SLASPA has spoken in typical local bureaucratic fashion. As expected, they are closing the barn door after the horses have bolted. For years I have watched many of these fete boats plying their unsafe trade. Some glaring violations have been too many passengers and not enough personal floaters. For years, I have also been noticing pirogues flying down the coast with tourist without vests (another disaster waiting to happen). SLASPA has been wearing blinders all this time. They now claim that they are going to examine the laws. You mean their present laws don’t cover those gross violations? Move dere SLASPA. Whenever things go south, the tourism authorities and other bodies like to use certain words. Commitment, synergy, passion and seriously. These clowns are fooling no one.
SLASPA you have to be PROACTIVE and Not REACTIVE why wait when we lose lives to react ????
@ Poule Foo you are correct – according to the calypso – “dem fellas only acting” and that means 758 and it’s regulatory agencies which should govern effectively and uphold policies and procedures is literally “out to lunch & sleeping on the job”
Godspeed
It’s clear those 2boats were racing each other. This cannot be a head on collision. The operators of those boats need to be charge with dangerous driving and recklessly endangering others lives. Alcohol was also a factor in this tragedy
It’s always after the fact those shameless clowns will yap,give it a couple of weeks and is business as usual,
SLASPA can begin by better regulation of personal watercraft (jetskis), many are operated at high speed, close to shore, an ever present danger to beach goers, swimmers, and small craft!
Whoever wrote that statement for SLASPA is an idiot because its not doing what they think its doing. Only because im in the industry i know first hand that maritime department tries to drill safety in the minds of the boating community but if u read that statement or u dont know u would think that the rules didnt exist prior to that accident. Sometimes we must take accountability for our own reckless behaviours because no amt of laws will stop these idiots from driving their boats recklessly on the water.. Very sad smh
Let us not arrive at conclusions before the investigation is conducted, instead of sounding so conclusive it is always better to use words like; it appears to be; maybe; quite possible, from the look of things, and so on, rather than speaking as though the investigation has been conducted and the facts have been ascertained!
take a page from Guyana incident remember some boats are not fit to be on the water but we still take risk lets not just blame the captains but the owners of the boat as well not every captain do own a boat