The Government again expresses profound sadness at the loss of life and injury resulting from this tragic mishap.  In its ongoing effort to sustain and maintain communications and a full understanding of the issues relative to this matter, Minister Glenys Hanna Martin will meet with representatives of the victims of the mishap on Wednesday 27th December 2006. The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is deeply concerned about the misinformation in relation to the tragic mishap involving the Motor Vessel United Star and the Motor Vessel Sea Hauler.

On the 2nd August 2003 the Motor Vessel United Star traveling from Cat Island and the Motor Vessel Sea Hauler, traveling to Cat Island collided at sea with horrific consequences; 4 people were killed and  25 people were injured.

The Government the Minister of Transport quickly exercised her discretion and appointed a Wreck Commission to look into this seafaring mishap.  The Commission was initially appointed for a period of two months, with effect from the 8th day of September 2003. The Report of the Wreck Commission was presented to the Honourable Minister of Transport and Aviation on the 4th day of January 2005.

The Commission was not empowered to make any legally binding findings as to civil liability.

The Government wishes to make it clear that the Sea Hauler incident and the Chalks incident in Bimini are materially different. Family members of the victims of the Chalks air disaster sued the entity responsible for the crash and received compensation from that entity and or its insurers, not from the government of The Bahamas.

In the case of the Sea Hauler incident Between 2004 and 2006, some nine civil actions were filed in the Supreme Court against the government between 2004 and 2006 by affected parties.

The Ministry of Social Services has been and continues to be active in rendering assistance to the victims of the Sea Hauler tragedy.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is governed by the Rule of Law.  The Government will continue to take all legal avenues to resolve this matter. All parties are encouraged to join with the government in seeking a resolution to this matter in a manner consistent with the Law of the land.