By Steve Thomas
Observer Nevis Editor
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – Just a little over a month after asking ferry passengers to voluntarily give their names when buying tickets, poor public response has officials preparing a law requiring identification from passengers and considering computerizing the entire system.
“What I can tell you is: It is not going the way we would have liked,” said Mr. McClean Hobson, Director of Maritime Affairs for St. Kitts and Nevis. “We have identified certain shortcomings in the system and we will use legislative means” to correct them, he said.
On Feb. 15, ferries operating between St. Kitts and Nevis, in order to comply with international safety regulations, began asking passengers to give their names when buying tickets. This measure assists authorities in accounting for passengers in the event of an emergency or a sinking.
However, the government did not require ticket buyers to present ID at the time of purchase. Since then, there have been reports of people giving false names or buying tickets in blocks for other passengers.
“To get people to give their accurate names, we have asked for ID,” Mr. Hobson said. “We would have hoped common sense would have prevailed.”
Alas, common sense has not won the day.
According to Mr. Hobson, the ministry is working on legislation that would require identification to be shown for each passenger at the time of ticket purchase, requiring the ship’s captains to account for all passengers and improving security on the vessels. The changes could be implemented by the end of 2008.
“For years, people have been sending packages between the islands and there is no way to check those packages,” Mr. Hobson said.
In addition to the legislative proposal, Mr. Hobson said the ministry is planning to hear proposals to computerize the entire tracking system.
“We’ve had a couple private individuals proposing systems to make it easier,” he said. No further details would be available until after the proposals were heard, he said.
Although it is the government’s job to help insure the safety of those using the ferries, the work falls on the owner and operators, he said.
“The obligation falls on the operators and the captains of the vessels. It’s their job,” Mr. Hobson said.
