Catbird
Senior Moderator
Caribbean News Now:
Tourist Board monitoring Grand Turk Cruise Center closure
"March 27, 2013
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation in Grand Turk surrounding the closure of the Cruise Center and the subsequent cancellation of cruise line calls. Discussions are ongoing with all the relevant local authorities and stakeholders, including the Public Health Department and the Grand Turk Cruise Center. These groups are working in close partnership to identify and address the situation as rapidly as possible.
The Carnival Cruise Center was closed down earlier this month following an outbreak on the capital island of Grand Turk of 25 cases of a sickness that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Carnival is now excavating the sewage system at the center trying to locate the source of the problem and has told local workers that it will not reopen the port until the problem is resolved.
In the meantime, local residents said they have long been aware of what is causing the virus and sickness epidemic on the deep water capital island. Approximately two years ago it was revealed that ground adjacent to the port was saturated with sewage water. The problem, sources say, has continued and Grand Turk residents who work at the port continued to complain about the stench, which seems constant at one portion of the complex.
They have reportedly complained to government but no action has been taken. This, it seems, is due to the arrangements made when the port deal was agreed to by the previous the Progressive National Party (PNP) administration. The port ownership remains in the hands of Carnival Cruise Lines...".
Tourist Board monitoring Grand Turk Cruise Center closure
"March 27, 2013
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation in Grand Turk surrounding the closure of the Cruise Center and the subsequent cancellation of cruise line calls. Discussions are ongoing with all the relevant local authorities and stakeholders, including the Public Health Department and the Grand Turk Cruise Center. These groups are working in close partnership to identify and address the situation as rapidly as possible.
The Carnival Cruise Center was closed down earlier this month following an outbreak on the capital island of Grand Turk of 25 cases of a sickness that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Carnival is now excavating the sewage system at the center trying to locate the source of the problem and has told local workers that it will not reopen the port until the problem is resolved.
In the meantime, local residents said they have long been aware of what is causing the virus and sickness epidemic on the deep water capital island. Approximately two years ago it was revealed that ground adjacent to the port was saturated with sewage water. The problem, sources say, has continued and Grand Turk residents who work at the port continued to complain about the stench, which seems constant at one portion of the complex.
They have reportedly complained to government but no action has been taken. This, it seems, is due to the arrangements made when the port deal was agreed to by the previous the Progressive National Party (PNP) administration. The port ownership remains in the hands of Carnival Cruise Lines...".