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VG still awaiting promised medical boat‎

- Health Minister Ronnie W. Skelton assures boat is ready; seeking a captain
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton has assured residents of Virgin Gorda that the long awaited promised medical boat is finally ready; however, it needs a captain. Photo: VINO
Residents of Virgin Gorda have expressed their lack of confidence in the National Democratic Party (NDP) government on numerous occasions and this they did yet another time when on Tuesday March 31, 2015 they were told the promised medical boat that was undergoing repairs was now seaworthy. Photo: VINO
Residents of Virgin Gorda have expressed their lack of confidence in the National Democratic Party (NDP) government on numerous occasions and this they did yet another time when on Tuesday March 31, 2015 they were told the promised medical boat that was undergoing repairs was now seaworthy. Photo: VINO
‎VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Residents of Virgin Gorda have expressed their lack of confidence in the National Democratic Party (NDP) government on numerous occasions and this they did yet another time when on Tuesday March 31, 2015 they were told the promised medical boat that was undergoing repairs was now seaworthy.

‎"I am happy to report that repairs have been completed on the motor Vessel Vigilant II, which will be used for emergency medical transfers from Virgin Gorda to Tortola. The vessel required more extensive repairs than we realised when it was first handed over to us, and the repair work took a lot longer than expected. The boat is now seaworthy, and we are making final arrangements to hire a captain and crew to operate it in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Services Department," stated Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton during the Ground Breaking and Contract Signing Ceremony for the construction of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda on Monday March 30, 2015.

Government said the boat repairs have cost some $40, 000.

This spurred an utterance in the audience, "When they started was forty thousand dollars, just now you'll hear it cost $400,000. They are taking people for fools up in here."

Medical boat long in coming

The promised medical boat has a history that goes ‎back to the NDP’s entrance into office following the 2011 general elections. The NDP government had purchased the boat to service the medical needs of Virgin Gorda.

"It's now the eve of another election and a simple thing as a boat they only now telling us it is ready. NDP need to stop playing politics with people's life and health especially," another person remarked.

‎Several stories were carried by this news site where promises were made not only by the Health Minister but also senior officials of the BVI Health Services Authority.

Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority Bishop John I. Cline had promised in August 2012, a timeframe of three to six months for the boat to be ready for use. Back then he had indicated that there was a need for repairs to the Caterpillar engine of the boat that would come at the tune of $40,000. Residents were also disturbed at this revelation, asking whether it wouldn’t have been practical to get a new boat instead.

When asked in September 2012 if the engine had already been replaced or repaired, Chairman Cline said “that concern was in the process of being addressed. When I was speaking of it I wasn’t speaking of something that was going to come, I was speaking of something that was happening.”

Health Minister blasted

Back in June of 2013 this news site ‎had carried a story where Minister Skelton was blasted by a caller to the Speak Your Mind radio talk show as he was accused of not being equipped with the relevant information as it related to the very vessel in that story this news site had reported.

The man also alleged that the Minister came to the residents of the Ninth District (back in 2013) with the same presentation that he had made in the House of Assembly and suggested that this should not have been the case.

During the meeting, Hon Skelton had reported, "You may recall we had made a decision earlier this year to repair motor vessel Vigilant 2 to provide medical evacuation services by sea from Virgin Gorda to Peebles Hospital on Tortola. I am pleased and happy to report again that the new engine has been installed. The boat has been cleaned and final tests and inspections are being carried out.”

The lurking question that hovers over this boat that took so long to repair is how long it would now take to get a captain to have the boat in use.

15 Responses to “VG still awaiting promised medical boat‎”

  • ooooo (01/04/2015, 15:26) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    this medical boat is taking longer than the ARK to build
  • vip (01/04/2015, 15:30) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The same million dollar$ that he used to build a wall out in spooner's to fence cows, could have been used to fix the boat or rent a helicopter.
  • Realist (01/04/2015, 15:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Strupes
  • the builder (01/04/2015, 16:08) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    Ronnie, you are a guy I admire--make things happen---no--nonsense--get things done--but please take a serious look at your hospital board-- do a non-bias professional and an ethical review---then go and make the NHI a reality--This is a good thing--it will bare your name long after you are gone--just like Joshua smith---Then wake Picko up-- and help him bring this pension plan to fruition-Adjust the law.. let it be plain--I hereby by suggest the wording-"Every employee after one year with an employer is entitled to pension coverage at a 50--50 contribution by employee and employer at a minimum of 4% and a maximum of 5% as agreed by both the employer and the employee of which both parties would be responsible to contribute half of the agreed amount, however an employee is only entitle to his employer half of contribution if that employee stays employed with that employer in excess of 3 years--if employed less than 3 years employees is not entitle to none of employer contribution, however after three years of continuous employment employees are entitled to the full contribution his half plus the employers half"------I am depending on you Ronnie--make something happen----Time to make laws simple so a baby can understand
    • Boo (01/04/2015, 18:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Amen to that. Need to say good bye to that biased group so full of conflict of interest
  • one eye (01/04/2015, 16:34) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope they see the people in vg are no fools
  • batman (01/04/2015, 16:38) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not use a helicopter ? There are a few of the flying up and down ? Also why build a clinic if you are planning to work on transport to the main island ? Fuzzy logic
    • @batman (01/04/2015, 17:42) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Suppose the patient has a bad heart and cannot ride the boat due to rough currents? A medical Helicopter should be made available and will transport patients in a shorter time to Peebles than a medical boat. I taught the NDP was the party of forward-thinking people. Smdh
  • Yes (01/04/2015, 16:46) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    If NDP meet the boat mash up then whose Administration allowed the boat to fall into disrepair? Hmmm.
  • Real (01/04/2015, 18:28) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Last election them diss we talking bout some second hand garbage boat them want give vg ppl. Tell um we want a helicopter.
  • Carmen (01/04/2015, 20:43) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    I was an NDP supporter especially because of Ronnie. but I have lost faith in this government especially when it comes to the health of the citizens in virgin gorda. The VIP is no different.. I had the opportunity to over hear Dr."Hannibal explain his health care plan for the 9th district to a small group in a restaurant . The man is brilliant.. I think when others hear his plans they too will be amazed by him.
  • @carmen (02/04/2015, 05:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I've heard him speak as well and it sounds good but I hope you realized that he's trying to win elections. It always looks and sounds nice until they get in. Huge disappointment just like Skelton, Smith and pickering.plus those three were popular. And now hmmmmm?
  • Lily Ann (02/04/2015, 13:02) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    VG residents really BLIND boy ... all these years under VIP all they had was iris Clinic and Speedys Boat .. but now NDP come into play and promised an Emergency boat and it has not been delivered yet .... Every jack sprat looses their Marbles !!! VIP is really an Individual only party - Not for the country. That's why so many want NDP out ... so they can start collecting from VIP again !!!! Only looking out for their future !!!
  • bush (02/04/2015, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want know how they for that new engine


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