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Cayman Islands News, Articles and InformationFairfielder Aboard Listing Cruise ShipAlthough Princess Cruises calls their Crown Princess cruise ship the "crown jewel of the Princess fleet," it seemed anything but to Marsha Hanna on July 18 after she witnessed firsthand the vessel tilt, causing several injuries.Hanna, 59, a Sturbridge Lane resident, who was vacationing with her friend Martha Long, 60, of New Hampshire, was on the seventh of a nine-day western Caribbean cruise. The two women, who are both alumni of Roger Ludlowe High School, began their trip in New York, making stops at the Grand Turk, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman islands. Port Canaveral, Fla., was the last port stop before returning to New York. To Hanna this was her dream vacation. "That day, the sea was like a sheet of ice, so calm and so beautiful." She had just finished making a few phone calls to family members, discussing her vacation and wishing her sister a happy birthday.
Couple almost reliveColumbians Wayne and Judith Everett, who were on their first cruise, were in their stateroom near the top of the luxury liner when the disaster hit.Wayne and Judith left New York July 11 for a 10-day, nine-night cruise aboard the Crown Princess, sailing first to the Grand Turks and Caicos islands, then to Ocho Rios in Jamaica. From there, they visited the Grand Cayman islands prior to their journey back to Port Canaveral, where the ship would dock before returning to New York.What began as a much anticipated cruise could have become a devastating experience had it not been for the ship's staff who immediately came to the aide of the injured."What seemed like forever was only seconds," recalled Judith, who was celebrating her 60th birthday with a cruise. "Wayne was sitting on the balcony and I was combing my hair when he said, 'The horizon is moving.' He grabbed the curtains and held on, and I held onto the desk.Duker of the Week - Cassandra ParchmentA Social Worker and Coordinator of the STARSS Programme at the Department of Children and Family Services, Cassandra Parchment said the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme has offered her a lot."I have been involved with the programme since attending the Cayman Islands High School. There have been many benefits to the D of E and I have been involved with many great organizations and persons," she said. "The Award programme has afforded me the opportunity to gain many skills and I especially cherish learning to make Cayman crafts of sisal from my late grandmother, Mrs. Gladys Bodden." Taking part in the Gold Award expedition in the Bahamas, doing leadership training in Barbados and being presented a Gold Award by Prince Edward were just some of the highlights.
CITA refutes dive safety articleThe Cayman Islands leads the way in diver safety in the Caribbean, according to the Cayman Islands Tourism Association’s Watersports Committee.The group has spoken out in response to a recent media report on the hydrostatic testing of dive tanks in Grand Cayman. This is a test of the cylinders in order to ensure that they are safe to use by divers The article, which appeared in Cayman Net News on 18 July, claimed there were reports of problems of over pricing, delays in service and fears of a drop in safety standards with regard to hydro testing of tanks in Grand Cayman. However, a statement from Chairman, CITA Watersports Committee Stephen Broadbelt says that the current price of hydrostatic testing per tank, of CI$25, has remained the same for several years and is considered reasonable considering the involved testing process.
Tank testing worries for dive sectorDive sector officials are sending mixed signals when it comes to hydro testing of tanks used by their guests at dive centres around Grand Cayman with reports of problems of over pricing and fears of a drop in safety standards.Several companies and senior officials contacted for comment, however, would only say that things were working well or there was not a major problem to alert the public. The Cayman Islands does a thriving business when it comes to diving and is in fact one of the leading destinations in the world. |
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