POLICE are investigating a suspected suicide that occurred on Saturday in New Providence.

 

Initial reports indicate that shortly before 7pm police responded to a report of a male hanging on a property in the area of Marathon Road, north of Robinson Road. #Emergency Medical Services responded and confirmed the man showed no signs of life. #Police are uncertain of the circumstances surrounding this incident and said an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. #Anyone with information that can assist police with probing this matter is asked to contact police at 911, 919, the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2 or visit the nearest police station.

Initial reports indicate that shortly before 7pm police responded to a report of a male hanging on a property in the area of Marathon Road, north of Robinson Road.

Emergency Medical Services responded and confirmed the man showed no signs of life.

Police are uncertain of the circumstances surrounding this incident and said an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information that can assist police with probing this matter is asked to contact police at 911, 919, the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2 or visit the nearest police station.

 

A BOAT last night capsized, with the death of at least one person.

The vessel capsized off Andros, said police late last night, with one man killed and another man missing. A third man survived, said officers.

The vessel was en route to New Providence. The initial police alert came in shortly after 9pm.

 

A BOAT last night capsized, with the death of at least one person. #The vessel capsized off Andros, said police late last night, with one man killed and another man missing. A third man survived, said officers. #The vessel was en route to New Providence. The initial police alert came in shortly after 9pm.

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller yesterday would not say whether negligence played a role in last week's oil spill at Exuma.

However, he warned once investigations conclude “the polluter will pay”.

Officials estimate that approximately 90 to 95 percent of the diesel that spilled into waters in Exuma last week have been collected, the minister said.

“As I stated, as a man of faith I am thankful and grateful to the Almighty God because where it happened, nobody want an oil spill but if you have to choose a site for it to happen, it’s an ideal site because of the cove and so it was easy to contain,” said Mr Miller.

“So, it was very well contained and we were able to move aggressively and we worked continuously non-stop until we actually brought onshore and so we’re thankful and we’re grateful for that.

“We’ve not completed yet, but up to this point, we’re thankful also that there wasn’t any inclement weather. So, everything co-operated and it worked well for us, so to this point, we’re pleased where it’s at.

“We estimate that approximately 90 to 95 percent have been collected. Also, out of the sand on the shore, we’ve collected all of the sand and we’re, of course, processing it and we’ll be able to give an update or report on it once we’re ready to submit our findings.”

The leakage happened early last week when a vessel contracted by Sun Oil – The Arabian — was offloading fuel to BPL at George Town.

Officials said 36,000 gallons of diesel was spilled into the island’s waters as a result of a “breach in the hose” that ran from the supply ship.

During a press conference last Friday, Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) said the Old Navy Base cove in Exuma will remain closed until August 10 as workers clean up the remaining diesel from the area.

Yesterday, Mr Miller told reporters that depending on the progress made, officials might either open the cove as scheduled or postpone the re-opening to a later date.

Asked about the environmental damage following last week’s spill, the minister said assessments in that regard are still ongoing.

“We know diesel is toxic and so that’s a concern for us, but presently it’s at minimum,” he said.

“However, we’ll be sending a team of officers, probably tomorrow or Thursday and they’ll do an updated assessment and they’ll certainly update us then, but we’re waiting in terms of the animals or whatever that is on the sand to get a report on that.”

“But the marine life at present, our officers who were there last week thought it was minimal, but we’re holding our breath on it and we’re hoping that once they return and do another assessment that it would remain consistent with that.”

As for potential penalties for those responsible for the spill, Mr Miller replied: “Certainly, we’re operating under the guidelines and principles that the polluters pay and the polluter will pay. How much? Of course, we don’t even know that and I’m certainly not at liberty to go into that, but the polluter will pay.”

When pressed if negligence has been ruled out as to what led to the incident, the minister refused to say, only telling reporters “I’m not at liberty to speak to that.”

He added, “But certainly we have our views on it, but I’m not at liberty to speak to it. But again, I wish to reiterate that the polluter will pay.”

At least 17 Haitians, including a little girl, died, and as many as 15 people are believed to be missing after the 30-foot speedboat they were traveling on to Miami, Florida, capsized seven miles off New Providence shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday, authorities said.

The victims – 15 women, one man and a girl, who was believed to be between four and five – were among the 50 to 60 people on the vessel when it overturned as a result of rough seas after leaving an area west of the Fish Fry in Nassau.

Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said two Bahamian men – ages 39 and 48 – were rescued along with the Haitian survivors and taken into police custody.

Fernander said responding defense force officers found 25 individuals clinging to the vessel.

“The hull of this boat is the same color blue of the sea, so it was difficult during the nighttime to really identify the vessel in the water,” said Fernander at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“It was [submerged] in the water. The officers heard a knocking to the hull of the boat. Divers eventually went down and that’s where they recovered the bodies, the 17 bodies. There was one female who was still alive.

“She was up in the air pocket of the hull of that boat. I believe that’s what kept her alive. They were eventually brought to shore and the female and others were taken to hospital for medical attention.”

Fernander said eight to 15 people were believed to be missing.

Public Hospitals Authority Managing Director Aubynette Rolle said three survivors two women and one man – were hospitalized with “near-drowning symptoms” and dehydration.

Rolle said the man was doing “extremely well” and was expected to be released yesterday.

Twenty survivors were turned over to immigration officials yesterday, according to Minister of Immigration Keith Bell, who added that they were being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Bell said some survivors indicated that they spent $3,000 to $8,000 for the voyage.

Fernander said the two Bahamians in custody are “known to us”.

“We are looking at [this with a view of] not only the smuggling but you are looking at manslaughter. You are looking at an unsafe vessel. So, we are going deep into this with respect to charges as we move with our investigation.”

Yesterday’s incident is the worst loss of life in Bahamian waters since 28 Haitian migrants died after their boat capsized near Abaco in February 2019.

The Bahamas’ location near the United States (US) has made the archipelago a frequent passage for Haitians and Cubans seeking a better life in the US.

In April, Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr. Raymond King told The Nassau Guardian that the RBDF noticed a trend of more Haitian migrants heading directly to Florida instead of The Bahamas.

Those migrants, he said, were moving along the Old Bahama Channel, which separates the northern coast of Cuba and the southern coast of the Great Bahama Bank.

Two months later, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said The Bahamas’ numbers for illegal migrant entry, seizures and repatriations were “through the roof, frankly”, adding that it was “much higher than we’ve ever seen before”.

Bell was unable to provide statistics yesterday on the number of migrants apprehended in The Bahamas so far this year.

As he spoke about the “tragedy at sea”, Prime Minister Philip Davis warned migrants against taking “these treacherous voyages”.

“We have increased surveillance on land and sea and intensified patrols,” Davis said.

“We take this opportunity to strongly condemn the organization of smuggling operations, which risk human life and compromise our national security. Those found to be involved will face prosecution.

“I understand the situation that many of these migrants face that encourage them to take such great risks. We, however, appeal to those considering making such a voyage not to do so.”