PLP: Overseas Ferry Charter Is ‘Very Disturbing’
Shadow Minister for Transport Lawrence Scott said the decision to contract a non-Bermudian company at a cost of over $1 million is “very disturbing,” and becomes “more troubling as it appears that the OBA failed to give first, fair, due consideration to Bermudian companies.”
Earlier this month Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell said chartering the ‘‘Millennium’ will cost $1.2 million dollars, which was considerably cheaper than the other option available, which was the outright purchase of a new boat which would cost approximately $6 million and would also require considerable infrastructure improvements.
“We deemed that the leasing of the ‘Millennium’ was the most viable and cost effective option,” said Minister Crockwell. The situation had created labour unrest, with ferry service suspended for just over 24 hours in mid-March as the Marine & Ports workers expressed dissatisfaction with the way matters were handled.
Speaking today [Mar 31] Shadow Minister for Transport Lawrence Scott [pictured] said that the “process for selecting companies paid from the public purse must be open, honest, fair, accountable and the interest of Bermudians respected.”
Mr. Scott said, “The OBA’s decision to contract a non-Bermudian company at a cost of over one million dollars to Bermudian taxpayers is very disturbing. This decision becomes more troubling as it appears that the OBA failed to give first, fair, due consideration to Bermudian companies.”
The Shadow Minister said that “in his view the Minister of Tourism had seriously breached the spirit (if not the letter) of the Marine Board Act 1965 Section 77 subsection 5 & 6 (30 day notice in the Gazette and one other locally printed newspaper) in the process he used to select a non-Bermudian ferry company to provide a tender service during our cruise season.”
Mr. Scott said that the Minister was “waving a red flag in the face of organized labour in apparently violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement Article 22 Section 4 [60 day written notice to the Unions of the ministry's intentions] when he high handily contracted this non-Bermudian company – with little or no consideration to the impact his decision would have on Bermudian union members, jobs and local tour operators who were ready and willing to assist in the provision of transportation of passengers to and from the cruise liners.”
The Shadow Minister concluded by saying that the OBA has “displayed a disturbing reluctance to answer questions, keep their promises or put Bermudians first, in this matter and the people deserve to know if the OBA is indeed considering themselves above the laws that govern us all.”
who ever said life was fair???????
Indeed, comments like this just make the opposition look like idiots.
What is “disturbing” is the PLP’s irresponsibility. They bankrupted us. Shame on them!!! They were suppose to be caring custodians of the public purse. My own cousins have betrayed me.
The PLP really needs to get over it. They don’t know what to do now that there is a government that actually knows what it’s doing. We can’t listen to the PLP who bankrupted us and showed that they didn’t know how to run a country over and over again. Time to leave it to the professionals.
Funny that the PLP thinks it still knows the best way forward for Bermuda considering their record.
Well, Mr. Lawrence Scott is meeting my LOW expectations!
Out of the new MP’s, he has impressed me the least.
After his statement on Lets Talk that the Berkeley School was the best managed project in Bermuda history, how can anyone find this man to be credible?
Hey Larry, you do know that this project was initiated by the plp months BEFORE the election and even discussed with the plp’s sister organization, the biu, don’t you?
Why are you disturbed that the OBA carried through on a project initiated by the plp/biu?
If what has been presented here in response to (todays Govnts) O.B A decision to follow through with what had been originally a P.L.P. initiative then please tell us what is it that this bie’ is ranting and raving about…publicity?
What “disturbing” to him is the thought of the OBA government actually getting things done.
He’d rather piss about for the next 6 months arguing about work permits and whether any disused glass-bottom boats might have been good enough to use as ferries. Thereby risking what’s left of our tourism product again.
He says any process must fair, honest, open, accountable, etc. But where was all this concern when Global Hue was being hired? Or when fake contracts were being “mocked up” for Curtis? Where was the openness then? The only thing that mattered on those days was who was a friend of Wanda.
From what I remember it was an idea of the previous Gov to bring in the ferry that was then carried forward by the OBA. Sounds like pure politics to me. The PLP trying to pander to the Bermudian electorate again.
No one should take this guy serious. He rode in on his fathers coat tails. Just be quiet and manage Jet Blue who has all their front office staff outsourced and non unionized. Put a sock in it or just go fly a kite!
Cleaning things up – one mes at a time.
$1.2m is an absolute bargain for a service that will run through the busiest of seasons without even a hint of a strike.
OMG – anyone on these blogs, or in Bermuda, or anywhere else in the world that can still stand up and support the previous Govt that got this country, sorry Dependent Territory, into this current mess should just dig a hole and jump in! It can’t be more obvious! The OBA, and it could have been anyone, has inherited a complete mess and it will get worse before it can get better for sure!
Lawrence, you just don’t get it, do you? Get your head outta the sand, bye.
You know I would give him the benefit of the doubt as he is a rookie and all. BUT, he should know who first made this decision/commitment and when before opening his mouth. As I said before, so transparent are the PLP these days. If only they had been this transparent while in Government they would STILL be the Government. Current events have shown us that we should thank GOD they aren’t.
http://bernews.com/tag/ferry-boats/
Amazing!
Take 1 look at the slip at dockyard… The Bermudian is up, one look shows the amount of work that should have been done over the past few years (boat should have been scrapped years ago), One of the Paget ferries… Not much better then the Bermudian, needs a good sand blast and paint job (hate to see the engine room)
And then we have the cat which hasn’t been in the water for over a year… What would the PLP like the government to do… NOT provide transport for the tourists?…. Oh hang on didn’t the PLP Governemt start talks to supplement out ferries from overseas?
I am wondering what local bermudians have a ferry big enough? Local tour operators? wouldnt they be operating tours and not ferrying people back and forth? how much would it cost to charter four or five or more local small tour boats to make these runs for the season? wouldnt that be hectic?
Just PLP blowing more smoke up our A**es
This must be the newest way to make sure that maybe someone out there is listening . To somehow hope that something , no matter how unimportant or irrelevent, will stick.
** Three weeks after it’s been hashed out and beaten to death in the media and on the blogs you bring it back up again. All over again . Fresh , like it’s ‘new’ news .**
So the media and the blogs make policy? So you are that deluded? Just as you think there is no one out here looking and listening. Just you OBA blogging Imps.
Just when I think I’ll never post another blog comment again, I just read more and more stupid comments from plp, I didnt think they would have the audacity to speak to the press again until 2014 after their blundering and destruction of Bda, boy was I wrong. If I was part of ruining a country I would have been embarrased of my wrong doings and hidden under a rock for a while. These guys have no shame. To think I was once a supporter. SMH.
Where was Laurence Scott when the PLP let half the ferry fleet break down and rot?
Give MP Scott a break. He is new on the scene and means well. MP Scott is doing as directed by his boss who believes in applying his rod of correction. As a child growing up I feared the rod of correction – didn’t you? If I were you MP Scott I would prefer to take my licks from the public than to face the wrath of an angry, disappointed and rod swinging boss! You appear to be an educated man but a little common sense will help too. I was taught that a good soldier will refuse to follow a bad command. But I guess you have forgotten this from your training and light years of experience in the REAL world. And why ? Because you like your colleagues a and others sitting up in that Honourable House are terrified by that rod of correction – perceived or real. Finally – Mr. Scott if you are to survive and evolve as a good politician may I suggest you go and sit at the feet of good seasoned politicians like Dame Jennifer Smith, Speaker Randy Horton, Neletha Butterfield, Wayne Perinchief, Elvin James, Phil Perinchief – yes Phil Perinchief, Dennis Lister, Terry Lister, Maxwell Burgess, John Barritt, John Swan, Quinton Edness and others and learn how to be sensible, sharp, witty and quick thinking politicians who offered and contributed much to OUR country. Don’t be concerned about what political side of the fence they sit. Your task to get from them what you need to become better political representative for ALL Bermuda. And because we all love Bermuda I am sure anyone of these people will help to guide and shape you into becoming just that. Best wishes MP Scott – you certainly need it. Huss! Tiss!Tiss!
WE DONT CARE WHAT YOU THINK!
if the ferry’s were maintained properly in the first place……..
Sean Crockwell has already addressed this in factual detail.
The PLP machine is desperately trying to make the OBA look like a party that is hell bent on sidelining Bermudians. They are still in election mode but have now dropped the race card and is now running with the “anti Bermudian” line.
I’m telling you lot….the PLP and the BIU are going to make this a very difficult summer.
“The process for selecting companies paid from the public purse must be open, honest, fair, accountable and the interest of Bermudians respected.”
I don’t know how a representative of the Progressive Labour Party could write or speak these words and expect anyone to take them seriously. I know you’re a rookie, Lawrence, but have a good look at your party’s record in government. In this area, as in so many others, you do not have a leg to stand on.
Sounds like he just woke up from his parties 14 yr sleep period???
He and his party should have sorted the ferries out when they built the mega pier.
I was for the PLP but quickly learned that if you was not a part of their click, you would not get anywhere if you needed their assistance/guidance.
I have welcomed the change in gov and the new people in charge have a lot to clean up and it will not be an overnight process.
The PLP have to get over themselves cause if they where doing things right from the beginning they would still be in power.
its apparent that everything the OBA does will be highlighted by the PLP and even the good things by the OBA will be made out to be bad by the PLP.
PLP get over it… Sit back and let the OBA do what they have to do and if you feel that you are ready to take control in the next election than that would be the appropriate time to speak. Until than, there’s no more friends and family benefits – sorrie.
And the OBA is trying to get the island back on track.
Scott as others mentioned, remember that the PLP thought about bringing in a ferry due to the shortage and can you name and let us know of the boats in Bermuda that could have been used as a ferry cause I surly don’t know of any. TY
How pathetic can the Opposition become? It would be contemptible except that investors are watching and saying to themselves ‘if this is the Government in waiting, forget it.’ PLP, stop damaging Bermuda for the sake of your greedy pride.
Like Father like Son….who cares what any of these fools have to say…the more they open their mouths the more people realize that they have nothing constructive to say……
Mr. Scott, I find it very disturbing that plp has soo much to whole Norwegian Breakaway issue.
The contract for this ship to come here had to be singed at least by August of 2012. Knowing full well that Heritage Wharf required modifications that would take approximately 3-4 months + 6 weeks for the concrete to cure. My question for the plp is why wasn’t the work on the wharf started at the end on the 2012 cruise season?
This has got to be one of the biggest blunders in our tourism history. Right now this whole thing is set to be a make or break situation for our cruise industry. If we don’t get it right this could spell disaster for decades to come.
Please find another political football to kick around!
Furthermore how could the minister of transport allow the fleet to fall in such disrepair?
If I ran a trucking company and half of my fleet was out of service, heads will roll.
I saw the pics of the inside of that fast ferry (I believe it was Tempest), that alone is enough to fire someone!
And now the plp / biu have the audesity to complain about how the Oba is getting the job done?
MY BLOOD IS BOILING!!!
The OBA will not be bowing down to drop of a hat Onion strikes! Solution for all get a job work hard and live within your means ” the heydays party’s and multi trips are over”
Simply put the MONEY is gone. Spend and borrowed. We broke
Wow, I don’t think any of the comments on this article are from Bermudians…
I was born here and lived here all my life and yes im black. Also I have voted plp twice, that was before they lost their way!
They are not my football team so I dont have to stick with them when they are doing bad / badness!
Exactly, but this mind processing is not computable by the fanatic followers. It’s either you’re with us or against us mentality or if you’re not; you’re white or a foreigner (sic).
Well guess what; I’m for BERMUDA!!!!!
And furthermore, why is this issue being raised after all the discussion and explanation over the last month? Now, it’s been made public this was one of the PLP Governments ideas (and a good one) to combat the Islands shortage; again why is the bright upcoming minds in the PLP STILL stirring the pot?
Fast becoming as bad an opposition as Government. Getting boring, reminds me of a whinny kid you can’t EVER satisfy.
It’s not the opposition’s job to drag out and challenge EVERY decision the Government makes. If you wish people to take you serious and listen to what you have to say; at least have something of substance to talk about.
Why????
You are sooooo wrong. Remember it is the Bermudians who maintain the ferries and the state of the system.
Bermudian Born and bred
Guess again Darkside
You are silly for trying to stir xenophobic emotions up. Typical.
I’m Bermudian, Smiths parish born. Whitney institute.
Get your head out of the sand and look at what the PLP did and what games they are playing.
I’m a born Bermudian – family arrived in 1714, so get lost par venu.
You got fired on Dec 17th. Go away!!
OPPOSITION OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE FINANCIALLY THE GOOD THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR OUR COUNTRY