V.I. Port Authority Director Carlton Dowe praised employees for their valiant actions in saving a tourist who fell off the Frederiksted pier on Monday, during a meeting of the VIPA governing board Wednesday.
During the meeting, Dowe acknowledged the efforts of Chief Wharfinger Waynia Charles and V.I. Police Officer Karima Liburd, who heroically jumped into the water at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted when they saw a female passenger from the Oceania Cruises MS Nautica fall into the ocean.
“Both of those ladies jumped into the water and started to perform a rescue operation,” said Dowe. “They were able to safely get this tourist back on board.”
According to Dowe, Charles was promoted to chief wharfinger earlier that very day.
“That same Monday, at a staff meeting that I held, we had just promoted a young lady, Waynia Charles, to chief wharfinger, and that very same day that was done. And when this lady went overboard, she [Charles] jumped into the water with some assistance by V.I. Police Officer Karima Liburd,” he said.
The incident occurred Monday around noon. According to the director, the tourist had accumulated water in her lungs and was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for further treatment, where she was later released.
In other news, Dowe provided updates on projects and community initiatives of the authority. The director informed the board that there are ongoing discussions with Royal Caribbean and Cruise Terminals International to expand the cruise infrastructure at Crown Bay.
“We were given some insight into what the designs will look like, but we’re still in discussion,” Dowe said.
Further regarding infrastructure, Dowe acknowledged ongoing efforts with Tropical Shipping and Crowley to utilize a $22 million grant. Additionally, Dowe acknowledged Southwest Airline’s inaugural flight to St. Thomas from Orlando, Florida on Feb. 5. The airline now offers direct flights between St. Thomas and Orlando and Baltimore, Maryland.
Board members Willard John, Derek Gabriel, Kevin Rodriguez, Gordon Rhea, Jennifer Matarangas King, and Celestino White Sr. were present.
