Who's to blame for MV Bermudian's hurricane plight?

Part of Hurricane Igor’s legacy will be a double lesson in high-level Government accountability and responsibility. One way or another, we’ll find out whether Government holds itself and its senior people accountable and worth their $120,000 per year pay packets.

Who was responsible for the decision to leave or put the MV Bermudian on that mooring in St. George’s harbour? Who will be held accountable for the repair expense for the vessel?

First, nine incontrovertible facts — all of which are either visible now on the Internet, or are open and common knowledge.

• On Sunday, September 19, before Igor had reached maximum strength, MV Bermudian got away from a mooring in St George’s Harbour.

• The ship grounded on land adjoining the St. George’s Boatyard.

• The MV Bermudian ended up at least five feet above high water.

• When not in service, the vessel was regularly kept alongside inside the camber at Dockyard.

• Projected wind directions meant that alongside in Hamilton Harbour was a safe option.

• Before Hurricane Igor’s Sunday night peak winds, the MV Bermudian could have been moved to inside the camber at Dockyard or to Hamilton.

• In the lead up to Sunday, September 19, if the ship was not in working order — such as the engines or steering being broken — she could have been towed to Dockyard and put inside the camber by either one or two of the three tugs owned and operated by Marine & Ports.

• MV Bermudian could have been safely moved any time between sunrise on Wednesday, September 15 and sunset on Saturday, September 18 — at least 48 daylight working hours.

• Igor’s approach was well-reported, giving ample time for decision-making and preparation.

For six days, MV Bermudian was stuck high up on limestone rock with the vessel at least five feet above high water.

Then she was dragged off and towed to Dockyard, where she was taken out of the water on the only cradle that will support her.

Repair work began on the two damaged rudders, two damaged propellers, and hull and other damage.

From being dragged off the rocks to returning to full tendering duty, the whole operation will be expensive.

If the insurer finds that all the managers, administrators, and duty skipper and crew acted in the best interests of preserving the insured asset, then they will likely pay for most, if not all, of the expenses incurred.

But if the insurer finds otherwise, that expense will fall to the taxpayer.

Regardless of whether or not taxpayers or the insurer are going to have to foot the full bill for the recovery and repair of the MV Bermudian, the taxpayer is still entitled to answers to these seven questions.

• For Hurricane Igor, was the ship in the safest possible place?

Accountability.

• Who should have made the decision to move her to a safer place? Responsibility.

• Who could have made and implemented the decision to move the MVBermudianto a safer place? Responsibility.

• Who made the decision to leave the ship at that moorings in St. George’s? Responsibility and accountability.

• Why did she not have a storm crew who could have kept her engines running to help ease the strain and keep her on station?

Responsibility.

• In Marine & Ports, who is responsible for ensuring the best technical decisions are made and properly implemented? Responsibility and accountability.

• Who was at fault and what went wrong? Accountability and responsibility.

Who is responsible? What will happen to show taxpayers that major mistakes are unacceptable?

Or will there be a salsa and tango away from all acceptance of responsibility and acknowledgement of accountability?

With the steaming patience of an angry taxpayer, I’m waiting for answers.