Penguin News Update.

Friday, January 13th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

Full article

Headlines:
Little bridge is big feat; Cllr Summers: Malvinas Basin exploration activity won't harm us; PN apologises to the Director of Education; Road worker injured; MPs to make February visit; Police report with Attorney General; This week's cruise ships; Rower to try again after repairs.

Little bridge is big feat

THE construction of the newest bridge on West Falkland has been a true logistical feat. The bridge , which crosses the Chartres River near Little Chartres settlement, was shipped from the United States to Europe then the UK. From there it was shipped to Stanley in containers which, upon arrival were unpacked then reloaded for shipment to Fox Bay, after which they were trucked to Little Chartres. The concrete abutments were poured in December to allow them to gain sufficient strength before the bridge was placed on them. Roads Engineer Bob Hancox said all the bits and pieces comprising the bridge - excluding the deck - were then put together "like a giant Meccano set" on one side of the river. The whole thing was then pushed across the gap with a bulldozer until it reached the other side using a temporary island to help support the weight. Fabrication started on Monday and the bridge was in place over the river by Wednesday evening, "a remarkable feat by the team, led by Nunker Summers," Mr Hancox said. Photo: C McKay

Cllr Summers: Malvinas Basin exploration activity won't harm us

OIL exploration activity planned by Argentina in the ?Malvinas Basin' will not hurt the Falklands and could instead be good news, Councillor Mike Summers says. South American news agency Mercopressreported yesterday that Spanish oil company Repsol YPF had signed agreements with Argentina's state energy firm Enarsa and other international partners to explore for hydrocarbons in offshore Argentina. One of the agreements is for ten years and relates to all offshore areas on the continental shelf from the border with Uruguay to the Falkland Islands, the San Jorge Gulf and the Austral basin. The company plans to start drilling in the Malvinas Basin in 2008 based on 3D seismic data completed in early 2005, the statement said. When asked if this will affect the Falklands, Councillor Summers said it will not as, "the Malvinas Basin is a big area that sits outside our EEZ." He added, "In some ways it could be good: the more the South West Atlantic oil province is explored and enlarged the more world interest there will be in the area - including ours." Desire's EIA released Meanwhile in the Falklands, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), submitted to the government by Desire Petroleum prior to the start of their planned exploration drilling programme, has been released for public consultation. Copies of the EIA in its entirety on CD ROM and in print can be obtained from the Department of Mineral Resources; printed copies are also at the Environmental Planning Department and the Public Library in Stanley and Fox Bay, Port Howard, Hill Cove and Goose Green. Written representations in relation to the EIA must be received by February 14 and sent to the Department of Mineral Resources. Desire Petroleum has 28 days to respond to comments received.

PN apologises to the Director of Education

THE trustees of The Media Trust and the Editor of Penguin News wish to apologise, most sincerely, for publishing comments about Sylvia Cole, the Director of Education, on the letters page of Penguin Newson Friday, January 6, 2006. The comments, which made comparison between the Director of Education and leading dictators of the 20th Century, were extremely offensive and wholly inappropriate. They were contained in a ?name withheld' letter which, ostensibly, was intended to oppose the Director of Education's ban on mobile phones in Falklands schools. We believe that such comparisons were totally unsupportable and should never have been published in a national newspaper or elsewhere. Publishing them in this way was an error of judgement on the Editor's part. We would, once again wish to remind readers of Penguin Newsthat the letters page is not intended to provide an open forum for contributors to make defamatory comments about other members of the public. Penguin News looks forward to continuing its positive relationship with the Department of Education.

Road worker injured

A YOUNG man was burned while working with the ?Black Top' road gang this week. Alexander MacDonald was sealing the centre joint on Sapper Hill Road with hot pour seam sealant when the accident happened. Roads Engineer Bob Hancox reported, "He needed to collect something from the trailer which was parked a few yards away, so put the bucket of sealant down as he was moving towards the trailer. "He cannot recall exactly how, but somehow he then got sealant all over his right hand." Alexander was rapidly taken to hospital by staff from the Power Station and immediately seen by medical staff. He is still in hospital being treated as the burns he received were serious. Mr Hancox said seam sealing in this fashion is standard practice and will continue as before. However, he added, "The only change we have made is to ensure that a supply of fresh water is available in each vehicle in case of accidents involving hot liquids."

MPs to make February visit

A GROUP of British Members of Parliament will visit the Falklands for a week next month as guests of the government, arriving on February 15.

Police report with Attorney General

THE report from an investigation into complaints about two members of the Royal Falkland Islands Police is now on the desk of the Attorney General. His Excellency the Governor commented on Wednesday, "The Metropolitan Police report reached the Falklands Attorney General just before Christmas, but associated documentation was only received this week. "Subject to clarification of one aspect of the report, which will require additional statements to be taken, the Attorney General will take a decision whether to initiate a criminal prosecution as soon as possible, but it is not possible to say exactly when that will be." "Following the Attorney General's decision, and the laying of charges in the event of a decision to prosecute, a public announcement will be made." In late October, Chief Police Officer Dave Morris and Detective Sergeant Jonathon Butler were suspended on full pay.

This week's cruise ships

STANLEY welcomes cruise ship Insigniaand her 650 passengers today. On Monday, Discovery (with 717 passengers) will visit West Point Island while Regal Princess (1596) and Millennium(1950) will visit Stanley. On Tuesday, Orlova (110) will visit New Island and West Point Island and Discoverywill head to Stanley. Orlova will visit Stanley on Wednesday, along with Explorer II (430) while Hanseatic(188) will visit George and Barren Islands. She will then head to New Island and Carcass Island on Thursday.

Rower to try again after repairs

THE man who hopes to circumnavigate Antarctica in a rowing boat does not yet have a departure date for his second attempt. Colin Yeates ran aground at Volunteer Point last week, during his first attempt. Yesterday he told Penguin Newshe is waiting for raw materials for repairs to the boat to arrive by post and added that everything is "looking good." He is hopeful that the recent window of good weather will hold so he can set off soon, after repairs are completed on his boat.

Subscribe to Penguin News online and save!

For more information and to subscribe to this full colour version of Penguin Newsgo to www.penguin-news.com(Terms and conditions apply)

Categories: Falkland Islands.

Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!