The 11 people who survived the tragic boating accident on the Navet Reservoir, which claimed the lives of two men last Saturday, could find themselves in more hot water, this time with the Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).Ellen Lewis, head of corporate communications at Wasa, said yesterday the company is examining the issue as it relates to bringing charges of trespassing, against the survivors, on their private property.
Lewis is on record as saying that 13 people on the vessel, which has a maximum capacity for four to six adults, including staff member Anthony Warrick, 54, and former Wasa Estate Constable Basdeo Ramlal, 52, were on an unauthorised boating expedition.Asked whether, in the circumstances, the authority would accept liability for their deaths, Lewis would only say: "We are examining the issue."
However, she said their focus at the moment was on the mental health and state of the families of the drowning victims. Lewis also said they are in the process of conducting their own internal investigation to find out whether the vessel may have been defective or if the excess weight caused the mishap. Reports indicate that while sailing on the reservoir, the vessel started sinking.
The occupants panicked and 11 of them made it to shore, but both Warrick and Ramlal, who were described as efficient and able-bodied swimmers, drowned. Three of the 11 survivors were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where they were treated and discharged, while one remains warded.
Acknowledging that the Navet Dam is one of the most beautiful sights in the country and is ideal for family outings, Lewis said the only vessel allowed on the water is one used by authorised personnel to conduct depth sampling for the maintenance on the plant. She said there are certain protocols and procedures for granting access to the facility and if Wasa permits access, it is for the land facility alone, not for the water.
"We do receive requests to visit the facilities from employees and members of the public from time to time," she said."But approval is granted only for land-based activities...No approval is granted that permits access to the water."In fact there are signs throughout the facility that clearly prohibit any form of fishing, swimming or bathing."Lewis said Wasa, which has suspended two employees as investigations take place, was very concerned by reports that these kinds of expeditions were a normal occurrence.
She gave the assurance it would not happen again, noting that Wasa was looking at their operations to tighten all areas of security.Meanwhile, Ramlal's relatives were in the process of making arrangements to say a final farewell on Thursday to their loved one.The funeral service is scheduled to take place at 1 pm at the Tabaquite RC Church and burial will be at the Tabaquite cemetery.
