The investigation into the deadly July 18 boat collision at Anse Cochon, Anse La Raye is officially underway, with four Commissioners sworn in on Tuesday morning to determine what led to the incident and recommend measures to help prevent a repeat.
Retired Justice Mario Michel is chairing the Commission of Inquiry, which will also examine Saint Lucia’s laws, procedures and safety protocols governing maritime activity.
The other Commissioners are maritime consultant Cuthbert Didier, retired Superintendent of Police Kentry Frederick and Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke De Freitas.
The Commission was appointed by Acting Governor General Felix Finisterre, on the advice of Cabinet, on September 4 – a month and a half after the incident that claimed the lives of Mhakeida Nestor, Debbie Dolor, Marley William and Tyrone Elivique, and left several others injured.
It has been mandated to conduct a full, fair and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision involving the Ocean Angel, registered in Castries under official number SL077875, and the Cazorla Jr., registered in Castries under official number SL078180.
Speaking at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony at the Governor General’s official residence at Morne Fortune, Finisterre congratulated the Commissioners and expressed confidence in the work ahead.
“I wish to congratulate all of you, especially Chairman, Justice Mario Michel. I know we’ll get some good recommendations in terms of what really happened,” Finisterre said.
He also thanked the Commissioners for undertaking the assignment and wished them well in carrying out their responsibilities.
Michel acknowledged the significance of the Commission’s mandate and pledged that the Commissioners would work collectively to fulfil the confidence placed in them.
“I don’t think we’ll underestimate the severity of the responsibility, and the significance of it. But, we will certainly endeavour to the best of our collective abilities, live up to the confidence that you have reposed in us,” Michel said.
Beyond establishing the circumstances surrounding the collision, the Commission is required to review Saint Lucia’s legislative framework governing maritime accidents.
That review will include relevant provisions of the Civil Code, Shipping Act, Police Act, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Act, Customs (Control and Management) Act and Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.
The Commission will also examine standard operating procedures and protocols governing maritime activity, maritime safety and maritime investigations.
Its recommendations are expected to inform the drafting of a modern Maritime Act.
Michel said the Commission would seek to use the inquiry to make recommendations that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Commission’s Legal Counsel is Shahida Charlemagne-Octave, while Lenita Joseph, a retired public servant, is serving as Secretary.
The inquiry will operate until March 8, 2027, with sittings scheduled to take place at the Parliament Chamber, Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries.
Proceedings are to be held in public, although the Commission has the authority to exclude persons where necessary for the preservation of order, the proper conduct of proceedings or other stated reasons.
Members of the public are invited to participate by making written or oral submissions.
Anyone wishing to provide a submission or appear before the Commission to give oral evidence should contact Secretary Lenita Joseph at the Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries, by telephone at (758) 285-6273 or by email at inquirymaritime@govt.lc or lenita.joseph758@gmail.com.
The Chairperson is required to submit the Commission’s report on or before March 8, 2027.
