MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Homes open to stranded passengers; Chilean journalists here; Next of kin visit in March; Electoral Bill passed; ?Crazy Heads' support appeal.

Homes open to stranded passengers

THE hospitable reputation of Falkland Islanders was further enhanced on Wednesday when residents opened their homes to passengers from a visiting cruise ship, after high winds left them stranded in the capital. More than 1,000 passengers and crew from MV Amsterdamwere left ashore after gale force winds compelled the ship's tenders to abort their shuttle service to Port William. Two staff from Stanley's Philatelic Bureau were required to spend the night on board the vessel. While some of the stranded travellers were cared for at the Parish Hall, the majority were moved to the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) Headquarters where they were provided with food and drink while the ship's agents from the Falkland Islands Company (FIC) worked to find accommodation. Over five hundred were billeted to Stanley homes and to Estancia Farm while the remaining passengers bunked down in the FIDF Hall, Parish Hall and the Upland Goose Hotel for the evening. The wind had died down by early on Thursday morning, allowing the travellers to return to Amsterdamto resume their cruise around Cape Horn, many having left behind invitations for their Falklands hosts to allow them to reciprocate their hospitality. Speaking to Penguin Newsyesterday, His Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, thanked all involved for, "...responding so generously and rapidly to this unexpected situation." He said he knew this generosity had been "very much appreciated" by the Amsterdampassengers and crew, "...because a number of them have said so." He made special mention of Major Peter Biggs and his team at the FIDF Headquarters, the helpers at the Parish Hall and to the FIC Shipping Agency staff and said the episode had "further enhanced" the Falklands' hospitable reputation. Meanwhile, the Norwalk virus has attacked cruise ships Infinity and Norwegian Crowntravelling to South America. At least 230 tourists suffering from the virus had to remain in their cabins when the vessels called in to Montevideo over the weekend, according to officials from the Uruguayan National Health Ministry. "We recommended that infected tourists remain in their cabins to prevent further contagion," said Julio Vignolo Deputy Head of Health Services. The outbreak is believed to have occurred before the cruise vessels arrived in Montevideo. Norwegian Crownhas cancelled her visit to Stanley which was due to take place today but will possibly visit tomorrow. The rest of the week remains relatively quiet for the cruise industry. On Sunday Clipper Adventurer will call at Carcass Island and New Island. Akademik Ioffe will visit West Point Island and Carcass Island on Monday then head to Stanley on Tuesday. PN/MP

Chilean journalists here

THREE Chilean reporters are in the Falklands this week to meet both Islanders and Chileans living here. Ester Levinsky from national newspaper El Mercurio, Roberto Schiattino from Carasmagazine and Patricio Navia, a political columnist, are accompanied by Mariela Vallejos, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy in Santiago, and two photographers. A spokesperson for Gilbert House said their programme has given the journalists a chance to meet Islanders as well as Chileans living in the Islands and, "...to see our developing society and economy. "Largely through human interest stories about life in the Falklands to appear in major Chilean publications, the visit should result in a better understanding of the Islands reaching readers in Chile."

Next of kin visit in March

FAMILY members of Argentine soldiers killed in the Falklands War are to visit the Islands next month. The group of 24, including a priest and a translator, will travel to the Falklands on the scheduled Lan flight on March 12 staying for a week. Businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, a strong supporter of the Argentine Families Commission, will fly to the Islands in a private aircraft on March 16 to join the family members for a dedication ceremony of the memorial at Darwin cemetery. During Legislative Council's meeting held last week Councillor Mike Summers said he hoped people in the Falklands would show their usual high levels of respect to the families. Continued on page 3.

Electoral Bill passed

THE Electoral Amendment Bill 2005 has been passed by Legislative Council. The bill amends certain provisions of the Electoral Ordinance so as to widen the qualifications for entitlement to be registered as an elector and to make it easier for electors, who are temporarily in the United Kingdom, to register their vote. Provision is also made for a polling station to be provided in Stanley on the occasion of a by-election in the Camp constituency and when there is no election in Stanley.

?Crazy Heads' support appeal

THE balance of the Tsunami Appeal stands at £7,018.08, is in addition to a further £14,000 already sent overseas. Today the Infant and Junior School is holding a ?Crazy Head Day' in support of the appeal.

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