BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE recent deaths of a linesman employed at the St. Christopher and Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority and an employee of S. L. Horsford’s and Co. Ltd has unearth concerns about the dangers of the job.
On Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 2), SCASPA’s Linesman Rudolph 'Tone' Dowell and S. L. Horsford’s employee Maxwell Browne died while attempting to free the lines that anchored one of the cruise vessels docked at Port Zante.
Both men - at the time of the incident - were aboard a small vessel which was captained by Browne. During the execution of the exercise, the vessel capsised and both men lost their lives in the process.
Yesterday (Apr. 3), SKNVibes spoke with one of SCASPA’s Linesmen - on condition of anonymity - who declared that for an extensive period concerns have been raised about the dangers of the job and relative issues.
He explained that in addition to the remuneration being small, there are not enough measures in place to mitigate safety, security and other concerns.
“There are many concerns. We have raised these concerns with those in authority but nothing has been said or done. We are concerned about safety, money and risk pay. We are risking our lives every time we go out to sea and do our job, so at least there needs to be some things put in place.”
At press time, an attempt by telephone was made to contact SCASPA’s Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Bass at his office, but an individual there informed that he was engaged in a meeting and would be in attendance of another immediately after that one concludes.
