All passengers aboard the two vessels involved in a fatal collision off Anse Cochon have been absolved of any role in the tragedy, the Commission of Inquiry chairman said during Wednesday's public hearing.
Mario Michel addressed the eight survivors who testified before the commission and the three passengers who died in the July 18 incident, stating they "did absolutely nothing to cause the collision and the injuries and deaths which resulted from it". He noted that the passengers "went out to have a good time on Carnival weekend, and they had every right to do so".
The crash involved the vessels Ocean Angel and Cazorla Jr, which collided head-on, killing four people. Michel acknowledged that witness accounts had contained inconsistencies, but explained this was natural given the circumstances and the number of people involved. He also recognised that survivors may still be processing trauma, including the loss of companions, near-death experiences and physical injuries.
Michel expressed gratitude to those who testified, saying Saint Lucia owed them "a debt of gratitude".
The inquiry's focus now turns to the captains, boat owners and crew members. Michel said investigators are still determining whether any of them "may be or may not have contributed to or caused the occurrence of the collision".
Michel also defended the commissioners' questioning style, rejecting claims it was disrespectful. He characterised the approach as reflective of "police questioning methods" rather than intended discourtesy.
On the matter of legal representation, Michel said witnesses had been offered counsel. One boat owner accepted and was represented during testimony; the other owner and the captain who gave evidence both declined, despite being advised multiple times of their right to legal counsel.
The commission continues to work through evidence as it seeks to establish what caused the collision and what measures might prevent similar incidents. Public hearings were expected to resume Wednesday.
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