ST. LUCIA-Commissioners sworn in to investigate fatal marine accident.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The four members of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the July 18 maritime collision at Anse Cochon, Anse La Raye, west of here that claimed the lives of four people and injuries to 14 others have been sworn into office.

The retired acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Mario Michel, will chair the Commission, which also includes maritime consultant Cuthbert Didier, retired superintendent of Police Kentry Frederick, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke De Freitas.

The Commission is mandated to conduct a “full, fair and impartial inquiry” into the circumstances surrounding the collision involving the two St. Lucia-registered boats, the Ocean Angel and the Cazorla Jr.

“I don’t think we’ll underestimate the severity of the responsibility, and the significance of it. But, we will certainly endeavor to the best of our collective abilities, live up to the confidence that you have reposed in us,” Justice Michel said as he acknowledged the significance of the Commission’s mandate.

Acting Governor General Finisterre said he is confident “we’ll get some good recommendations in terms of what really happened,” thanking the Commissioners for undertaking the assignment.

In addition to determining the circumstances surrounding the July 18 collision, the Commission is required to review St. Lucia’s legislative framework governing maritime accidents, including 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 review standard operating procedures and protocols governing maritime activity, maritime safety and maritime investigations, and make recommendations to inform the drafting of a modern Maritime Act.

Justice Michel said the Commission would seek to use the inquiry to make recommendations that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The inquiry will operate from September 8 this year to March 8, 2027, with proceedings held in public, subject to the Commission’s authority to exclude persons where necessary to preserve order, ensure the proper conduct of proceedings, or for other stated reasons.