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Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Islander crash at West Point; Equal fees for students will save ?a serious amount'; Holberg ?stable'; Norwegian Crown in Stanley;
Community service for DS; New ExCo members elected.

Islander crash at West Point

ISLANDER Bravo India, an aircraft from the government air service (FIGAS) fleet, sustained extensive damage whilst landing at West Point Island at the weekend. The Commander of the aircraft, Tom Chater, and the two passengers, Roddy and Lily Napier, were uninjured in the accident, which occurred on Sunday, November 19. That afternoon, an accident investigation team from the Civil Aviation Department and senior members of FIGAS staff were flown to the island by 78 Squadron's Sea King helicopter. Following an inspection at the scene, the FIGAS staff found that Bravo India's port engine and undercarriage had rotated down and rearwards during touchdown. The wing had also rotated down and aft resulting in the propeller and wing tip striking the ground. A FIGAS spokesperson commented, "The aircraft wing is a write-off; this was confirmed by the aircraft manufacturers, Britten Norman, early on Monday morning. "However, the resulting stress to the aircraft fuselage and subsequent damage to the integrity of the fuselage remains unclear as this cannot be determined until the hull has been returned to Stanley for further inspection." Bravo India has been moved clear of the West Point air strip, the use of which will be curtailed pending inspection by the local aerodrome authorities, and the off-loading of fuel still remaining in the aircraft's fuel tanks. A recovery programme to bring the aircraft back to Stanley has been initiated. The FIGAS spokesperson said an investigation into the cause of the accident remains on-going by the Civil Aviation Department: "At this stage it is difficult to predict when the investigation will be concluded and what any recommendations will be." With the decrease in airframe availability, and subsequent pressure on both operations and maintenance staff, FIGAS says there might be some disruption to its service during this coming tourist season, "...although FIGAS will ensure that any disruption will be kept to the minimum. "It is expected that for the majority of the season there should be three airframes available." The spokesperson said FIGAS was grateful to, "...all who assisted during the incident, in particular the residents of West Point for their hospitality, and 78 Squadron and British International for arranging availability of their helicopters." Picture The damaged FIGAS aircraft, Islander Bravo India, on West Point Island this week. Photo by Jeannette Clarke

Equal fees for students will save ?a serious amount'

COUNCILLORS have welcomed a proposal to enable students from the Overseas Territories (OTs) to be treated as home students for fee purposes at institutions in England announced by Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell this week. The proposal means that from 2007/08, students from the Falkland Islands and other OTs will be charged the home fee rate for their Further Education and undergraduate degree courses at colleges and universities in England. Holder of the Education portfolio, Councillor Richard Stevens said he was delighted with the news. While unable to give a definitive answer on how much this move will save the government, he commented, "If, for argument's sake, 35 students go away next year, it would be over £200,000 saved. It's a serious amount." He said the Board of Education would like to see the money this move will save reinvested in education, however he added, "...the other councillors might think we have to put it back in the pot." When asked if this could mean more students are sent to the UK for further and higher education, or that qualifying standards could be lowered Cllr Stevens commented, "At the moment we are doing work with the further and higher education qualifications... working on things like work ethics rather than increasing or lowering the points students need to go to college. "Obviously there are people who feel we should be giving other opportunities to children in other areas - such as more opportunities in vocational training and to lower the points. It's part of a much bigger picture"

Holberg ?stable'

THE owners of the Holberg, the trawler wrecked in Port Purvis, are in negotiations with salvage companies. Government officials met the marine surveyor late last week after he had spent two days examining the vessel, together with the Holberg'sCaptain and Chief Engineer. Director of Fisheries, John Barton reported, "Their view was that the vessel was quite stable in its current position. They confirmed that there was very little fuel leaking from the vessel during the time of their inspection, and they expressed the view that further leaks were unlikely. There was some oil leaking from an oil drum, and they thought that some fuel (marine gas oil) may have leaked from the small service tank." He added that the Holberg'sowners hope to be able to reveal their plans for fuel and vessel removal soon. Councillor Richard Davies said it is a "frustratingly slow" process but the government is putting pressure on the company to get the fuel and vessel removal started. Criticism has been levelled at the government's apparent lack of action to contain any spill around the vessel. Cllr Davies said it is most urgent to get the fuel off before it leaks and that the use of local resources was considered by councillors; however they have decided not to do this, "...as to send the (coastal shipping vessel) Tamarinto Port Purvis, an area that has not been surveyed in 100 years, could create a bigger disaster." Cllr Davies added that he was sad to hear there had been reports of looting from the trawler; a spokesman for the police confirmed the theft of items from the Holberg had been reported.

Norwegian Crown in Stanley

THE first big ship of the season arrives in Stanley today. Norwegian Crownwill bring around 1,200 passengers to town. Polar Star(approx 105 passengers) will spend the day at West Point and Carcass Island. On Saturday she will head to Stanley. Akademik Ioffe(110) will spend Saturday at Carcass Island and Saunders Island and Sunday in Stanley. On Tuesday, Rotterdam (1,316) will visit Stanley and on Wednesday NG Endeavour (118) will visit West Point Island and New Island. She will head to Steeple Jason and Carcass Island on Thursday.

Community service for DS

FORMER Detective Sergeant Jonathan Butler, who last week pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, has been sentenced to 200 hours community service. Acting Magistrate Gary Hickinbottom delivered the sentence last Friday. Full story - page 4.

New ExCo members elected

THE annual election of members to Executive Council (ExCo) has been held. At a short meeting of Legislative Council, Councillors Andrea Clausen, Mike Summers and Mike Rendell were elected to serve a year on ExCo.

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