The issue of derelict vessels continues to stir debate in the Territory.
”Where is the RDA with that? Is any progress being made or what are the challenges with that project?”
These were among the questions directed to the Recovery and Development Agency regarding the removal of derelict yachts from the Territory’s waters during the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Recovery and Development Agency responded that it was “an interesting project and a more interesting question”.
He said the RDA had been working with the Ministry of Environment to update the derelict vessel registry in early 2023, following which all the relevant information was passed on to that Ministry.
He further explained, “It is his understanding, based on the latest correspondence received from that ministry, that they will be taking it forward towards implementation. So it is no longer with the RDA at this point in time”.
When asked by the Member for the Third District whether the RDA will be involved in the removal of the vessels or yachts down in Sea Cow’s Bay at this time in any way, shape or form, the committee was told that “beyond where they updated the register and returned it to the Ministry of Environment, the answer would be no”.
The CEO of the RDA further informed the Committee that while the RDA did at one point have estimates of the costs of removing the yachts, this information was not shared with the Ministry of Environment nor did the Ministry seek it out.
However, “the information would have been shared with the government prior to the Ministry of Environment being created”, revealing later that the information was shared with the Ministry of Finance and the Premier’s Office at that time.
He noted however that at this time, the cost information, which was generated in 2018, would likely no longer be relevant.
The updated information in the registry, he explained, related to the number of vessels in each particular area and their exact locations.
Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio Wheatley had previously told the House of Assembly that the updated registry would be imperative to moving the initiative forward. The Premier indicated in his 2024 budget address that a request for proposal would be forthcoming.