COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN FOR ANSE COCHON MARITIME COLLISION INQUIRY
The four Commissioners appointed to investigate the July 18 maritime collision at Anse Cochon, Anse La Raye, were formally sworn in Tuesday morning at the Governor General’s official residence at Morne Fortune.
The Commission of Inquiry was appointed on September 4 by Acting Governor General His Excellency Felix Finisterre, CMG, on the advice of Cabinet, pursuant to section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Cap. 17.03.
Retired Justice Mario Michel has been designated Chairperson of the Commission. The other Commissioners are maritime consultant Cuthbert Didier, retired Superintendent of Police Kentry Frederick and Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke De Freitas.
The Commission is mandated to conduct a full, fair and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision involving the Ocean Angel, registered in Castries under official number SL077875, and the Cazorla Jr., registered in Castries under official number SL078180.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Acting Governor General Finisterre congratulated the Commissioners and expressed confidence in the work ahead.
“I wish to congratulate all of you, especially Chairman, Justice Mario Michel. I know we’ll get some good recommendations in terms of what really happened,” Finisterre said.
He also thanked the Commissioners for undertaking the assignment and wished them well in carrying out their responsibilities.
Justice Michel acknowledged the significance of the Commission’s mandate and pledged that the Commissioners would work collectively to fulfill the confidence placed in them.
“I don’t think we’ll underestimate the severity of the responsibility, and the significance of it. But, we will certainly endeavour to the best of our collective abilities, live up to the confidence that you have reposed in us,” Michel said.
In addition to determining the circumstances surrounding the July 18 collision, the Commission is required to review Saint Lucia’s legislative framework governing maritime accidents, including relevant provisions of the Civil Code, Shipping Act, Police Act, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Act, Customs (Control and Management) Act and Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.
The Commission will also review standard operating procedures and protocols governing maritime activity, maritime safety and maritime investigations, and make recommendations to inform the drafting of a modern Maritime Act.
Justice Michel said the Commission would seek to use the inquiry to make recommendations that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Commission’s Legal Counsel is Mrs. Shahida Charlemagne-Octave, while Ms. Lenita Joseph, a retired public servant, serves as Secretary.
The inquiry will operate from September 8, 2026, to March 8, 2027, with sittings scheduled to take place at the Parliament Chamber, Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries.
Proceedings are to be held in public, subject to the Commission’s authority to exclude persons where necessary for the preservation of order, the proper conduct of proceedings or other stated reasons.
Members of the public are invited to participate by making written or oral submissions. Persons wishing to provide submissions or appear before the Commission to give oral evidence should contact the Secretary, Ms. Lenita Joseph, at the Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries, by telephone at (758) 285-6273 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
The Chairperson is required to submit the Commission’s report on or before March 8, 2027.
