Report: Jamaica’s Transport Minister Orders Maritime, Airport Probes

According to the Jamaica Information Service, Transport and Works Minister Hon. Mike Henry has ordered immediate maritime and airport probes, respectively, into Saturday evening's boat tragedy off the island's south coast, and a false fire alarm at the Norman Manley International Airport on Monday, which delayed a number of flights.

The minister has mandated Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), Rear Admiral Peter Brady, to lead a probe into the boat incident that resulted in two deaths and injury to more than 20 other people.

According to the JIS, the probe is to be conducted under the Shipping Act, under which the minister may order a preliminary enquiry into any accident involving vessels at sea within Jamaica's waters, including any incident which involves loss of lives, sinking, grounding or other relevant circumstances.

The vessel that was involved in Saturday's tragedy was a 15-foot glass-reinforced plastic craft (commonly called a 'fibre glass boat'). It has been recovered by the Coast Guard and will undergo a thorough inspection by technical experts from the MAJ.

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