MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Little Swann helps big Boye into West port; Thirteen for Iceland; Further delay for broadband; Tabbing for SAMA82; Police launch ?safe' service; FIDC resignation rumored.

Little Swann helps big Boye into West port

THE largest vessel to visit Port Howard in around 25 years, the Elisabeth Boye dwarfed the jetty of the West Falkland settlement at the weekend. The ship, which is chartered by South American Atlantic Services, was carrying materials for the government's construction of the road to Second Creek. Myles Lee's lifeboat, WestSwanntowed the ship off the jetty, possibly the first time the boat has used her towing post since arriving in the Falklands. Roads Engineer Bob Hancox said the operation had been, "...a great success, without any problems at all." Not only did the vessel deliver the road materials but she also pumped 30,000 litres of diesel ashore into the government's tanks. Picture: Elisabeth Boye at Port Howard with the West Swannvisible off her bow. (Picture: K&M Lee)

Thirteen for Iceland

THE candidates selected to travel from the Falkland Islands to Iceland on a tourism ?learning journey' have been announced. The visit in June will include study tours to various parts of Iceland, lectures and presentations from recognised experts from Iceland and Scotland as well as participation in workshops. Funding for the trip was provided by the award of a Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Grant with a ?top up' from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board and the Development Corporation. Twelve spaces were available for the trip but thirteen people have actually been selected; two of the groups are already in the UK and due to savings on flights, an extra candidate was able to be included. The thirteen are: Sally Ellis of International Tours and Travel, Jenny Luxton of Stanley Services, Debbie Summers of Sulivan Shipping, Andy Williams of Falkland Islands Tours and Travel, Leona Roberts from the Museum, tour guide Phil Middleton, Jacqui Jennings of Pebble Island Lodge, Rob McKay of Sea Lion Lodge, Jim Woodward of Little Chartres, Peter Nightingale of West Lagoons Farm, Serena Sinclairof Elephant Beach Farm, Adrian Lowe of Kidney Cove Safari Tours and Alex Olmedo of Falklands Brasserie. The selection of candidates was made by the Scottish Tourist Board. The group will be accompanied by the Director of Tourism, Connie Stevens, and the Chairman of the Tourist Board, Councillor Ian Hansen. Director departs Following the news of Mrs. Stevens' resignation last week, Councillor Hansen yesterday confirmed that the Director of Tourism has now left the Islands. She is to work her notice in the UK and will return for a handover period once her successor is appointed. Councillor Hansen said Mrs. Stevens had holiday owing to her and this arrangement for her to work her notice abroad will lead to a saving on flights. He said she is to work on promotion and marketing of the Islands and will attend a number of events during her time abroad. He assured that Mrs. Stevens will be in close contact and will report back directly to him at least fortnightly.

Further delay for broadband

THE arrival of broadband in the Falklands has been delayed by another month, Cable and Wireless announced this week. The company was originally hopeful of launching the service in December 2005, however it announced this week that the new telephone exchange that Ericsson has supplied and is currently installing for Cable and Wireless has been further delayed due to problems with the software which they are endeavouring to resolve. A spokesperson for the company explained, "This work is extremely complex involving the replacement of the core of the Falkland Islands' tele-communications network including the migration of all existing services from the old network to the new. Our primary aim is to ensure services are moved with the minimum disruption to customers while moving forward to deploy new features and services not currently available." These new services including DSL (commonly known as broadband) will be offered with the new exchange and will become available as soon as Cable and Wireless and Ericsson are satisfied all services are up to standard and reliability testing has been carried out, the spokesperson said. This testing will commence towards mid-June. The spokesperson added, "Cable and Wireless would like to thank customers for their patience and wish to assure customers of their best efforts to get the new exchange and services rolled out as soon as possible."

Tabbing for SAMA82

A TEAM from 1435 Flight at Mount Pleasant are retracing the steps of the 1982 Task Force this week, to raise money for the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82). The walkers will be leaving Port San Carlos today and will spend tonight at Hope Cottage. Tomorrow they will head to Estancia and on Sunday they will push on to Stanley. They hope to arrive at the Liberation Monument some time around midday on Sunday and will then visit the pubs to collect donations. This effort in support of SAMA82 comes a week before the arrival of four veterans to the Islands for a short visit. The four - who are all still serving members of the Armed Forces - were with 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines in 1982. They arrive on Friday, May 19.

Electricity meters: cards can be kept

AFTER announcing a month ago that prepaid electricity meter cards were to be withdrawn and Stanley households moved back to a metered system, the government now says anyone who wishes to remain on the card-operated system may do so. Councillor Richard Cockwell, who holds the Public Works portfolio, this week said the Treasury is facing problems with allowing customers to make monthly payments for electricity. "It is intended that a new billing system for all government charges will be instituted within the year." Therefore the government has agreed customers may remain on cards, "...by which time, hopefully, we'll have another type of card available to those who want one." Councillor Cockwell added that the Public Works Department is still investigating the purchase as soon as possible of a number of meters reading in Kilowatts, "....so anyone who wants cards can sooner or later go over to that." He added that people whose meters have not been upgraded to 17p should contact the Power and Electrical Department, "...to let them know when it is convenient to call."

Police launch ?safe' service

THE Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP) has set up a confidential email address. The address can be used to forward questions to the police, to ask for help or to pass on information. Sgt Tom Whistler commented, "This is a safe means of communication that anyone can use to contact us about anything without worrying about speaking to someone or being embarrassed about getting your words wrong." "Whatever your question, worry, or information you will not be contacted directly," Sgt Whistler said. "You will generate an automatic response and may later, depending on your e-mail's content, receive advice from the ?safe' address."

FIDC resignation rumoured

COUNCILLOR Andrea Clausen has been unable to confirm or deny a rumour that the General Manager of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, Julian Morris, has tendered his resignation. When contacted by Penguin Newsabout the rumour, Councillor Clausen commented, "Julian is on leave at the moment and out of contact and I cannot comment until I have spoken to him."

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