Three investigations into “Wave Dancer” tragedy

Three separate investigations are being conducted into the sinking of a dive boat during Hurricane Iris and the subsequent loss of twenty lives. Deputy Harbour Master Major Andrew Lewis told News 5 that the Port Authority has been investigating the incident in which the “Wave Dancer”, carrying twenty guests and a crew of eight, capsized while attempting to ride out the storm at the port of Big Creek. It is expected that Transport Minister Henry Canton will order a commission of inquiry into the incident, perhaps as early as this week.

A second investigation is being conducted by IMMARBE, the company which operates Belize’s maritime registry. The “Wave Dancer” is a Belize registered vessel and according to IMMARBE’s Director General, Angelo Mouzouropoulos, they have already interviewed the boat’s surviving crewmembers as well as Captain Philip Martin. When the hull is salvaged, investigators will also inspect the vessel for clues as to what may have gone wrong on the night of October eighth. The full investigation, which may take several months, will also ascertain whether the vessel was properly certified and what lessons may be learned for the future.

A third investigation, this one looking for possible criminal negligence, is also being conducted by the Police Department. Two Belizean crewmembers, Brenda Wade and Eloisa Johnson, died aboard “Wave Dancer” along with eighteen tourists. The family of Johnson last week filed a ten million U.S. dollar lawsuit in Miami against the owners of the boat, alleging that its operators negligently caused her death, threatening to fire her if she left the boat to seek shelter ashore.