Caribbean News
No Disruption in Operations at Falmouth Port
#Jamaica, May 31, 2022 – The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and Royal Caribbean have advised that a minor incident involving the cruise line’s vessel – Harmony of the Seas, on arrival at the Falmouth Port in Trelawny on May 26, resulted in no disruption to operations.
Royal Caribbean, in a statement, indicated that the ship, which came into contact with an extension of the dock, incurred minor damage of no consequence, and was repaired the same day.
“There were no injuries to guests or crew and only minor cosmetic damage to the ship’s stern. Sailing [continued] as scheduled,” the statement said.
Jamaica remains a longstanding partner of Royal Caribbean and is a major part of the cruise line’s western Caribbean itinerary. Scores of Jamaican workers have also been employed to Royal Caribbean over the years.
For its part, the PAJ said the vessel collided with a mooring dolphin, adding that the incident did not result in any significant damage.
“The vessel was eventually moored without delay using the remaining infrastructure of the bollards on the remaining dolphin, to stabilise the vessel. Subsequently, passengers were able to disembark and proceed, as planned, to their
tours and other scheduled activities,” the PAJ said in a statement sent to JIS News.
“The mooring dolphin was displaced and will require reconstruction. Our Engineering Department is currently assessing the damage for further action. The Falmouth Port facility is designed to accommodate the safe berthing of vessels, notwithstanding the inaccessibility of the mooring dolphin, and will continue to do so as per normal port operations,” the document added.
The statement advised that as the Regulator and Chief Maritime Agency of Jamaica, the PAJ acts in accordance with the Pilotage Act. Sections 21 to 24 of the Act outline the approach to investigations of this nature.
“Section 21 provides for the appointment of an investigator whenever there is an incident in a pilotage area. The investigator is then required to provide the PAJ with a report of the findings. The Act also provides that the pilot is mandated to immediately report the facts of the accident to the Authority and assist in any investigation being undertaken,” it added.
The PAJ further noted that upon receipt of the investigator’s report, the Authority may opt to convene a formal enquiry into the accident.
The agency pointed out that this undertaking is governed by Section 11 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act, which sets out the proceedings regarding examination/cross-examination of witnesses, consideration of written evidence, and administration of oaths, among other things.
It also noted that the agency and Royal Caribbean are in the process of undertaking a joint investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
“The PAJ wishes to reassure the public and all stakeholders that this incident will not result in any disruption to cruise shipping operations or require any adjustments to cruise schedules,” the statement added.
The vessel left Jamaica at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, as it continued its sailing schedule.
Harmony of the Seas is the third largest cruise ship in the world, weighing in at 226,963 tons and carrying up to 6,410 passengers.
Release: JIS
Contact: Garwin Davis
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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