7 months and no conclusions in Wavedancer deaths

Exactly seven months ago today, the nation of Belize woke up the devastation of Hurricane Iris. But even more disturbing than any economic loss, was the sorrow experienced by twenty families who learned that their loved ones had perished in the storm. Eighteen tourists from the U.S. state of Virginia and two Belizean crew members died aboard the MV Wavedancer when it overturned during the height of the hurricane in the waters of the Big Creek Port. Public outrage following the mass drowning escalated when it was revealed that the Belizeans had been forced to stay on board by way of an ultimatum: Leave the boat and leave your job behind. Three different investigations were immediately launched, one by the Ports Authority, another by IMMARBE the (Marine Registry of Belize) and a third by the Belize Police Department. But to date, nothing has been forthcoming from any of those agencies. When News 5 contacted Ports Commissioner Alberto Mahler, he told us that the little information they had gathered had been forwarded to IMMARBE. While officials there tell us the report should be completed by September of this year, they are currently awaiting the statements of the survivors, additional information from the Peter Hughes Company, owner of the live-aboard diveboat, and technical information on the vessel itself. IMMARBE, according to its director general Angelou Mouzouropoulos, says their investigation is not meant to lay blame on anyone, but instead will recommend how to avoid such occurrences in the future. As for the police, according to Press Officer G. Michael Reid, the department submitted their file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who in turn determined that there was insufficient evidence to charge the captain of the Wavedancer, Philip Martin, with any wrongdoing. The D.P.P. also recommended that the Harbour Master conduct an independent review and should he find that any negligence had been committed, the police would reopen the case. But remember, the Port Authority– which is the harbour master’s employer–has already said that they are relying on the findings of IMMARBE, but IMMARBE says they are not concerned with who is at fault. So where does all this leave the families still grieving their loved ones? Apparently, clueless. Family members of the late Brenda Wade tell News 5 that they have been forwarded no information about any of the investigations and have no idea what is happening with the case. While lawyers appearing on behalf of Wade and Eloisa Johnson, the other crewmember who died that night, have filed a lawsuit against the dive company in the States, that case might take years before landing in front a judge. As for the Peter Hughes Company, their website is proudly announcing that as of August seventeenth, they will once again be operating in Belizean waters using the company’s flagship, the MV Star Dancer. The site even quotes Hughes as saying, “There was never any doubt we would return to Belize. We are extremely excited to be going back.” As for the MV Wavedancer, she remains moored along the mangroves of Big Creek, apparently the only memorial to a disaster that authorities seem determined to forget.