Governor defends Marine Police as Investigation announced into deadly collision

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December22, 2021 – The TCI Governor is refuting claims that the Police Marine branch rammed the sloop in the incident which ended in the deaths of seven irregular migrants.  He also informed that an investigation is opened to ascertain precisely what happened on the night of November 29.

In a recent press conference, His Excellency Nigel Dakin said he was aware of the rumor circulating, which accused police of intentionally colliding with the wooden sloop, which was loaded with around 100 Haitians.

The governor confirmed that while there was a collision, the photographic evidence supported that the police vessel was damaged mid-ship rather than at the hull, proving that it was hit by the sloop and not the other way around.

Governor Dakin maintained that even after the accident, the marine officers acted in a way that saved lives.  The Governor stopped short of saying precisely what Police maritime officers did to rescue the illegals who were flung from the vessel, but he did call their action, heroic.

As is standard procedure, an investigation is opened and the commissioner has asked the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch to consult during the investigation.

The Governor did divulge if that process was started or not.

Sixty-four migrants including 23 females were rescued from waters off Northwest Providenciales on the night of November 29; 80 illegal people were taken into custody by the Immigration Department at the South Dock detention center.