Archive for October 24th, 2012
CAL cancels flights in face of Hurricane Sandy
(CNS): Cayman Airways has made further changes to its flight operations as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The airline has cancelled flights Wednesday’s schedule flights KX 620 from Grand Cayman to Kingston-Montego Bay, KX 621 from Montego Bay/ Kingston to Grand Cayman and Cayman Airways Express flight KX 4516 from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac. All other flights are presently expected to operate according to the published schedule. However, there are further cancelations on Thursday including KX 600 from Grand Cayman to Kingston and KX 601 from Kingston to Grand Cayman as well as Cayman Airways Express flight KX 4510 from Cayman Brac to Grand Cayman.
The national flag carrier said it will then add flights KX 620 from Grand Cayman departing at 5:00pm arriving Kingston at 6:00pm, KX 621 departing Kingston at 7:00pm and arriving Montego Bay at 7:30pm, KX 621 departing Montego Bay at 8:30pm arriving Grand Cayman at 9:30pm.
“Should weather conditions further alter Thursday’s flight schedule to and from Jamaica, extra flights will be scheduled on Friday,” the airline stated Wednesday lunchtime. “Cayman Airways and Cayman Airways Express flights to the Sister Islands (except for KX4516/4510) for 24th and 25th October are currently on schedule as we continue to monitor changing weather conditions.”
Change fees and penalties are being waived for those passengers travelling on Cayman Airways to or from Jamaica and to or from Cayman Brac from 24 to 26 October and passengers are able to re-book their flights from 24 until31 October.
Passengers are advised to contact their travel agent or Cayman Airways Reservations and Ticket Office for alternate travel arrangements. The Cayman Airways Grand Cayman City Ticket Office is open daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm. The Reservations Department is open from 7:00am to 9:30pm.
The Cayman Airways Reservations and Ticket Office in Jamaica can be reached on 876-926-1762 or 876-929-7778. Scheduled opening hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm but their operating hours will vary dependent on Tropical Storm Sandy. The Kingston Norman Manley International Airport can be reached on 876-924-8092.
Due to the uncertainty of the weather situation surrounding Tropical Storm Sandy, for the latest flight information, passengers are advised to monitor the Cayman Airways website at www.caymanairways.com or call the Cayman Airways Reservations Department on 345-949-2311 (within the Caribbean) or 1-800-4-Cayman (1-800-422-9626) within the United States.
Fraser brothers sandwich McCallum in sea swim
(CIASA): The 24th Annual CUC 800m Sea Swim; 2 current and 2 past Olympian, 142 swimmers and countless volunteers. Those are the numbers from last weekend’s Sea Swim and the times are just as impressive. Leading the pack from the start were Olympians Shaune and Brett Fraser and Stingray Swim Club’s Alex McCallum closely followed by Iain McCallum, Simon Butler and Coach Darren Mew. For those on the shoreline the top three finishers provided an exciting race to the end with Shaune, in 10:42 just coming in ahead of Alex in 10:43 and Brett in 10:53.
First woman across the line was Camana Bay Aquatic Club’s Danielle Boothe in a time of 12:21 and an impressive 11th place overall finishing position.
Featuring two current Olympians: Shaune and Brett; and two past Olympians: Andrew Mackay for Cayman and Darren Mew for the UK, Cayman Swimming’s Technical Director Coach Ian Armiger was impressed with the event: "the presence of Cayman Olympic stars, Shaune and Brett Fraser, added extra spice to the ever popular CUC Swim. Their presence obviously inspired all the participants, none more so than Alex McCallum who produced a superb performance.
Amongst the whole field there were examples of personal success; from category medalists to those entering for the very first time. Without doubt a superbly organised event”
Pat Bynoe-Clarke, Manager Corporate Communications at CUC echoed Coach Ian’s enthusiasm: "CUC is committed to supporting our youth and inviting Shaune and Brett to come home and compete in our sea swim seemed like a win-win for all of us. They are extraordinary young men, their commitment and dedication to their sport is self-evident and they were gracious, charming and excellent role models for Cayman’s swimmers – young and old alike. I would also like to thank all of the CUC family members who participated in the swim and to congratulate our first finisher – Lauren Hew – who won a Bronze Medal at Carifta in the Bahamas earlier this year.”
Coach Andy Copley swimming in his first open water swim since arriving in Cayman had this to say about the event: “there were good swims all around by the kids on the island today – both CBAC and Stingray. I think it's really fantastic to see both clubs out in full force taking part in the fun”.
Every sea swim it seems as if the overall top twenty finishers get younger and younger, and this is a testament to the continually increasing focus on providing them with excellent coaching in the competitive age group levels. But, special mention must be made of one of Cayman Swimming’s most loyal supporters and participants Victor Thompson. He doesn’t let anything hold him back and finished the swim in a respectable 15:16, crossing the finish line first in his age group and in 39th position overall – ahead of his longtime swimming competitor Mr Frank Flowers and a host of other swimmers. Their success, along with that of many other swimmers is just one more reason that swimming is heralded as an excellent sport for maintaining fitness for athletes of all ages!
CUC provided all swimmers with goody bags and the top three finishers in each age group also received trophies: 8 & Under Girls – Avery Lambert, Boys – Liam Sinclair; 9-10 Girls – Zororo Mutomba, Boys – Zachary Moore; 11-12 Girls – Stefanie Boothe, Boys – Matthew Somerville; 13-14 Girls – Catriona Macrae, Boys – Simon Butler; 15-19 Girls – Danielle Boothe, Boys – Alexander McCallum; 20-29 Girls – Alison Dean, Boys – Shaune Fraser; 30-34 Women – Kristy Van Den Broek, Men – Darren Mew; 35-39 Women – Andrea Kilam-Higgo, Men – Johann Prinsloo; 40-44 Women – Tessa McLean, Men – Marius Acker; 45-49 Women – Laura McLean, Men – Richard Hew; 50-59 Women – Anne Jackson, Men – William McFarland and 60-69 Women – Barb Person and Men – Victor Thompson.
Full results are available on CIASA’s website www.ciasa.ky in the Open Water/CUC 800M section tabs.
The next CIASA organized Open Water Sea Swim is the Pirates Week 5K Swim which takes place on Saturday November 10th 2012.
Taskforce to begin work on disabilities policy
(CNS): The government is finally beginning work on a disability law, according to minutes released by the Deputy Governor’s Office. The record of the 8 October meeting of civil service heads revealed that the Policy Coordination Unit in the Cabinet Office will be coordinating the development of a national disability action plan, as well as a national disabilities policy and law. The senior civil servants heard that the work will require inter-ministry collaboration and the creation of a taskforce to submit information to the unit regarding current provisions and practice in the area of disabilities.
“This work will be supported by work already completed, including the Ministry of ET&E’s July 2012 proposals to support the development of a National Action Plan, as well as work previously completed, including a Report of the Legal Committee for Persons with Disability, which provides a foundation to draw on for the development of Drafting Instructions,” the minutes revealed.
The CIG has talked for many years about the need for disability legislation. But despite the creation of a comprehensive report by the legal sub-committee for persons with disabilities, which was submitted to Cabinet more than three and a half years ago, no further developments of any significance have been reported since.
Mangroves in judge’s hands
(CNS): Activists who had gained an injunction against a developer who was dumping fill into the ocean to reclaimland for a condo development are now waiting for a judge to decide the future ofthe marine environment in South Sound. Justice Charles Quin heard submissions from environmental activist group Protect South Sound and RC Estates, the developer, on Tuesday over the court-ordered cessation of work at the site. The activists won a temporary injunction last week but want it extended until their appeal is heard by the Planning Appeals Tribunal. After hearing the arguments, the judge said he would deliver his decision within the next two weeks, but in the meantime the injunction stays in place.
The developer was given permission by the CPA to extend the shoreline by over 50 feet along 2,000 feet of shoreline in South Sound and to construct a seawall ahead of the development of several condos. However, the activists have appealed the decision as they say the Central Planning Authority (CPA) erred in law when it agreed with the attorney representing RC Estates that the land lost during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 could legally be reclaimed. The activists say that the law states clearly that coastal boundaries are not fixed.
In addition, the decision by the CPA is seen as one which could set a disturbing precedent if allowed to stand, with landowners across the island attempting to reclaim old eroded sea boundaries in accordance with previous surveys.
Despite recommendations from both planning and the environment departments against it, the CPA went ahead and granted permission and the developer began dumping marl into the ocean last week. Aside from the obvious threat to the marine life in the area, the fill was being poured directly onto a mangrove replenishment project managed by the Department of Environment and funded by an outside grant from the United States.
With government applying for and receiving an important international grant on one hand and then giving planning permission for construction in the same spot on the other, the DoE has expressed serious concerns about how that will impact any future international grant or support for the numerous critically important projects the DoE is involved with in an effort to try and save the islands' threatened natural environment.
Related articles:
Mangroves perish under fill (17 October 2012)
South Sound mangrove threat (3 September 2012)
Sandy heads to Jamaica but rough seas for Cayman
(CNS): At 7am local time this morning Tropical Storm Sandy was located about 95 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica with winds of over 70mph. Travelling at around 14 mph the National Hurricane Centre in Miami said it expected Sandy would become a hurricane before it moves across Jamaica late Wednesday afternoon and evening. Although Sandy poses no direct threat to Cayman local forecasters said very rough seas, fresh winds, overcast skies and thunderstorms are expected over the next 24 hours as the storm, with tropical forces winds extending across 140mph, passes to the east of the Cayman Islands.
Some cloudiness and showers are expected to spread into our area from today through Thursday evening and heavy showers may lead to flooding of some low-lying areas, especially over the Sister Islands between Wednesday and Thursday.
With fresh to strong east to northeast winds, and very rough seas over the Cayman area a marine warning remains in effect for Cayman. Very rough seas are expected through the next few days with wave heights near 5 to 7 feet from peaking near 9feet by Thursday with a gradual reduction of wave heights through Sunday. These waves should have significant impact on the east to northeast coasts initially, gradually affecting the northern coasts by tonight and the northwest coasts from tomorrow evening through Sunday.
Visit www.weather.ky for local details