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VG community angry at absence of promised boat

Some residents expressed the view that they are worth a
One of the concerned residents expressing his views at the meeting held by the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) at the Ashford Waters Community Centre last evening August 29, 2012. Photo: Ron Henry/VINO
A section of the audience that attended the community meeting at the Ashford Waters Community Centre. Photo: Ron Henry/VINO
A section of the audience that attended the community meeting at the Ashford Waters Community Centre. Photo: Ron Henry/VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – Residents of Virgin Gorda bitterly expressed their frustration at the absence of a promised boat for transfers of sick patients to Tortola for emergency treatments last evening August 29, 2012 at a community meeting held by the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) at the Ashford Waters Community Centre.

One resident mentioned that the last they were told was that there was a boat but something was wrong with the engine. “I could fall sick now… I need to know what is the status of this boat,” he said.

The visibly upset resident added that “I keep hearing months and months that the boat coming, the boat coming and [there is an engine problem].” 

He questioned why there was so much time taken to have the boat brought, declaring that people need to know now whether the boat will be there and when it will be able to serve the community. 

Bishop Cline responded by saying, “I hear the frustration… I agree with you.” He said that he was asked on Monday, August 27, 2012 to attend a handing over ceremony where keys were given for the boat. 

Cline said the boat was still not fixed and that he wasn’t there to fool anyone. The boat, he expressed, had a Caterpillar engine that needed parts that cost in the vicinity of $40,000 that have been ordered. He said that when he saw the boat “barnacles and moss” were attached so the boat had to be taken away to be cleaned and properly prepped before it could be brought to Virgin Gorda. 

“We are doing our best, now that we have control of the boat,” he said. “I have the Minister’s ear,” he continued, “so we’re gonna get the boat, and we’re gonna work it for all it’s worth and get this problem fixed.” 

The Board Chair of the BVIHSA suggested a time frame of three to six months for the repair of the engine and completion of preparations for the boat. “I can’t do better than that,” he stated. 

Another aggrieved resident expressed shock that there was time being wasted on an engine that costly when a new boat could be procured instead. 

“This boat can't be in very good shape if we are revamping these engines and it's covered in moss,” she suggested. 

She added that “we are worth a new boat and I can tell you for sure that if you can't get it built, I can get it built on this island for not much more”. 

Residents also complained that it is undignified for sick persons to be carried in the way that they currently have to be on the ferry to Tortola in full view of everyone. 

19 Responses to “VG community angry at absence of promised boat”

  • help help help (30/08/2012, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    whay kind of hand me down they gving dey people of VG..them out of order
  • Mother Hen (30/08/2012, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    $40k for repair so sad why cant ronnie put that to a new boat
  • common sense (30/08/2012, 12:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHY ARE WE STILL ASKING FOR A BOAT PPL???? WE NEED A TRAUMA CENTER... WE NEED OUR CLINIC PROPERLY FUNCTIONAL, NOT A DAMN BOAT.... VG PPL WAKE UP AND TAKE THE WOOL FROM OVER YOUR EYES.
    • under the bus (30/08/2012, 14:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Virgin Gorda you all should not get nothing ayo allowed the NDP to fool ayo about new hospital now 10 months later you all fighting over a second hand boat. Good for ayo NDP played you all for fools.
      • george w. tush (30/08/2012, 21:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        scatter and hush NDP in there for life....
        • text (30/08/2012, 23:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          George w. tush all I have to say is Yaaaaawn..tank god you aint voting in dey b we I
    • Voters rules (31/08/2012, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      do not ask me!!! ask ndp for the boat and hospital. You all voted for them the last time VG
  • yellow (30/08/2012, 13:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let them know VG that you are equal and do not want and second hand boat!
    • same old same old (31/08/2012, 00:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      just remeber names and faces change but, the game remains the same!!!!!
  • Torry H. (30/08/2012, 14:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a daRN SHAME. WHY ARE THEY TURNING OVER THE KEYS TO A JALLOP THAT IS NOT EVEN RUNNING ANDY WHY WAS iVAN ACCEPTING THEM? BARNACLES ON THE BOTTOM?/ iVAN FROM cgb AND i THINK HE KNOWS ABOUT BOATS A BIT. tHIS IS UNCAAEPTABLE.
  • Polo (30/08/2012, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The money they spend on one of that useless consultant scould have paid for this boat. NDP the people loosing faith!
  • BREAKING NEWS (30/08/2012, 15:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ask Ralf for the boat and the hospital. You all vote him in for about 50 years !!! RUN to him, that is you all rep!!

    If he was Premier for all these years and you all ain't get a boat or hospital, you expect one in 9 months of NDP ???????????????
  • ooooo (30/08/2012, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is what vg got for voting ndp atlarges
  • boat child (31/08/2012, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Virgin Gorda you all will get the boat just a few days before the next elections ha ha he he
  • stryp (31/08/2012, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The amount of money they wasted sending people to the olympics for a vacation they could have bought the people a boat. We waste too much money on foolishness
  • The doctor (31/08/2012, 14:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Virgin Gordians please don't feel left out, the new hospital on Tortola will not be ready before 2014 and we will only be occupying two floors. Presently, you should only go to the hospital if you are going to pick up a death certificate.


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