Archive for January 13th, 2010
Early morning blaze destroys local shops
(CNS): A fire which started in a property on the waterfront in George Town at around 6:00 this morning has destroyed three local businesses. The blaze broke out at the Cayman One Building, next to the Burger King and has caused extensive damage to the building structure. According to reports on News 27 the whole first floor of the building was destroyed. The upper floor only received smoke damage but the owner of clothing store Cayman Jam said the contents in the building were not insured and she is devastated by the losses. Fire and police officers are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Cayman’s chilly spell breaks no records
(CNS): Despite the chilly temperatures in the Cayman Islands over the last few days, the mercury has still not reached record lows. Even though unofficial weather stations were registering daytime temperatures lower than 61°F on Monday, it was still some way from the country’s lowest official temperature. “The record coldest temperature at the Owen Roberts International Airport is 52° F measured in February 1968,” said Chief Meteorologist John Tibbetts, who said that the official measuring and recording of temperatures started in 1962.
However, regardless of what the official thermometers say about the mercury, with sweaters, coats and woollies appearing on the streets over the last few days, Caymanians were clearly feeling the chill. And temperatures are certainly below average for this time of year. On Monday the lowest officially recorded temperature at Owen Roberts International Airport weather Station was 62 °F
While January and February are the coldest months in the Cayman Islands, the long term average is still over 71°F, considerably higher than Monday’s average temperatures, in the mid °60s which, with the cool winds, often felt considerably colder.
Of course, compared to the United States, where our chilly front has come from, and Europe, Cayman’s slight mercury dip was hardly noticeable and things are predicted to improve over the coming days when the northeast winds calm down and turn towards the southeast as the weekend approaches. However, Cayman can expect at least another two days of cloudy cool weather and a small craft warning is still in effect.
Families request privacy
(CNS): Update Tuesday 11pm — The families of the five people who have been missing since they failed to return from a fishing trip on Sunday are appealing for privacy to allow them to come to terms with the incident and the fact that their loved ones are still missing. Following extensive searches by the RCIPS and many members of the public on Tuesday, police said they had recovered a number of life vests that could have been on the boat, in the Patrick’s Island area, but there were no other signs of the people or their possessions. The search stopped at dusk but will continue again at first light and police are asking local divers if they can assist in the continuing operation.
Police press officer, Janet Dougall, said Tuesday night that the RCIPS had been asked to convey the message that, while the family members are very appreciative of the public’s continued interest in the ongoing search and the support shown time at this very difficult time, they are being ‘bombarded’ by questions and calls from concerned members of the public. Many of these calls relate to rumours which are circulating suggesting that bodies have been found. However, the RCIPS stated that the search for all five missing people would continue Wednesday and nothing of significance has been found as of Tuesday night.
“We will make the media aware of any developments as and when they occur,” Dougall said. Member of the public who have a pressing desire to pass on messages of support to the family may contact the duty inspector at George Town police office on 949-4222.
Chief Inspector Courtney Miles of the RCIPS Marine Unit said Tuesday evening that more than 50 officers at sea and along the coast were joined by many private boaters and divers who helped with the extensive search.
Thanking all those who had helped in the effort so far, Miles said that aside from the use of Cayman Helicopters, the RCIPS Marine Unit had assistance from Paul Allen, whose super-yacht Octopus is currently anchored off Grand Cayman and which has a helicopter on board. The Ritz Carlton also added its fixed wing aircraft to the air search.
Although the weather has proved challenging, Miles stated that with so much manpower the search covered a considerable area before it was called off when the light faded this evening. Miles said the search will continue at first light on Wednesday but the chances of finding the five people alive had now faded further.
Raynell Wood (36) of Prospect (the owner of the boat), his 13-year-old daughter Michelle Wood, Astor Range (36) of Spotts, Joshua Gilman (28) of North Sound, and Jeamie Avila (19) of Prospect set off on a fishing trip on Sunday morning. The alarm was raised on Sunday evening when they group did not return and family members were unable to contact anyone on the boat.
The 26 foot canoe in which the group had gone fishing was found partly submerged east of the Sandbar/Rum point Channel on Monday afternoon and a number of personal possessions of those on board as well as the boats fuel tank have also been recovered.
“With each day that passes we have to accept that the likelihood of finding the five missing people alive reduces,” he said. “We will continue with extensive searches on land, air and sea in an effort to trace them or their property.”
Police have asked that anyone who wishes to assist in the search should contact the incident command centre on 814-7811 so that they can liaise directly with the police to ensure that the best use of the resources is made. “Anyone that can help we will give them something to do,” he added.