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Veteran pilot is new CAACI flight operations manager
(CNS): A former pilot for Cayman Airways, Captain Steve Scott, is the new manager of flight operations for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI). Scott has been employed with the CAACI for three years but has had an impressive career of over 30 years in the aviation industry, the authority noted in the announcement. As flight operations manager, he will be responsible for analyzing applications for aircraft to be entered in the Aircraft Registry, as well as processing applications for the issuance of an Air Operator’s Certificate and a number of other operational approvals for aircraft on the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry to ensure that aircraft operations are conducted safely and in accordance with the appropriate aviation regulations.
He will also assist in regulating foreign carriers that operate into and out of the Cayman Islands, including general aviation aircraft operations, and will have oversight for licensing of flight crews and ground staff.
Scott is a former pilot and senior captain for Cayman Airways Ltd, later holding other senior positions with our national air carrier, including manager of flight training, chief pilot and manager flight operations. He continues to maintain proficiency as a captain on the B737.
Prior to joining the CAACI in 2010, Scott was a contracted service provider to the CAACI from 2008 and also comes with the experience from having provided independent contract service in the area of flight crew training to other regional airlines.
A native Caymanian, Scott has three children and is married to Bernice Scott, who is Principal at Grace Christian Academy.
Deputy Director-General with responsibility for Administration, Nicoela McCoy, said, “The CAACI is pleased to appoint Captain Scott to this position. We are confident that his extensive experience in the industry and his passion for aviation will prove beneficial as he takes on his new role as a senior aviation regulator.”
England’s young adults flounder in literacy and maths
(BBC): Young adults in England have scored among the lowest results in the industrialised world in international literacy and numeracy tests. A major study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows how England's 16 to 24-year-olds are falling behind their Asian and European counterparts. England is 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy out of 24 countries. Unlike other developed countries, the study also showed that young people in England are no better at these tests than older people, in the 55 to 65 age range. When this is weighted with other factors, such as the socio-economic background of people taking the test, it shows that England is the only country in the survey where results are going backwards – with the older cohort better than the younger.
The highest-performing countries among this younger age group were Japan, Finland and the Netherlands. The country with the lowest numeracy skills was the United States, plummeting from once being one of the strongest education systems.
This landmark study from the OECD set out to measure the level of skills within the adult population – testing actual ability in literacy, numeracy and digital skills, rather than looking at qualifications.
It involved 166,000 adults taking tests in 24 education systems, representing populations of 724 million people. From the UK, adults in England and Northern Ireland participated.
The study looked at the level of skills across the adult population, between the ages of 16 and 65. England and Northern Ireland are below average for both literacy and numeracy, in league tables headed by Japan and Finland.
But for most industrialised countries the younger population are much better at such tests than the older generations.
However, for England, when the results are separated from Northern Ireland, there was a different and unusual pattern, with almost no advance in test results between the 55 to 65-year-olds and those aged 16 to 24.
This younger group will have many more qualifications, but the test results show that these younger people have no greater ability than those approaching retirement who left schools with much lower qualifications in the 1960s and 1970s.
The grandchildren are not any better at these core skills than their grandparents.
Three arrested for selling booze without a licence
(CNS) Updated: The police arrested three people early this morning on suspicion of selling alcohol without a licence and breaches of the music and dancing law. The RCIPS reported that they had launched an operation in the early hours of Sunday 6 October in the Sparky Drive area of George Town following reports of illegal sessions and illegal sale of intoxicating liquor. The operation led to the recovery and seizure of musical sound system, a variety of alcoholic beverages/liquor and a quantity of cash and three people were arrested. The arrests come in the wake of complaints being raised at a recent liquor licensing board meeting about the illegal sale of alcohol and the misuse of licenses by holders of mobile licenses.
Allegations had been made that when licenses are essentially sub-let for private events, the holders are not supervising the use of their booze licenses. The police admitted that they have been called to a number of events in the past but it appeared no action had been taken.
Speaking about the arrests at the weekend, an RCIPS spokesperson said, "This is a clear message to the public that police are enforcing a zero tolerance approach to illegal sessions and the illegal sale of intoxicating liquor. People found in breach of the law will be prosecuted to the full extentof the law."
Government is currently reviewing the entire liquor licensing process and is requesting public input about the laws and restrictions currently on the sale of booze and how licenses are currently managed.
Bermuda allows cruise ship casinos to open in port
(CNS Business): Bermuda’s House of Assembly passed the Cruise Ship (Casino) Act 2013 Thursday, allowing visiting cruise ships to keep their casinos open between 9pm and 5am when in port. Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell said the concession would ensure Bermuda remained competitive as a cruise destination, according to the Royal Gazette. He said the move would economically benefit the cruise companies from an increase in their on-board revenue, and Bermuda, which would collect licence fees. Casinos activities are limited to cruise passengers. No local residents or visitors to the ship will be allowed to participate, and cruise ships would have to be in port for one night or more to qualify for permission. Read more and comment on CNS Business
Caribbean Court of Justice rules in Barbados case
(Caribbean Journal): In a landmark decision, the Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled in favour of Jamaican national Shanique Myrie in her lawsuit against the government of Barbados. Myrie had brought an action in 2012 against Barbados alleging maltreatment at the Grantley Adams International Airport that included what she alleged was an inappropriate bodily search and unlawfully deported. The CCJ awarded her $37,500 USD in damages to be paid by the government of Barbados. The CCJ found that Myrie had been wrongfully denied entry into Barbados, subjected to a “humiliating cavity search” and had been unlawfully detained overnight in a cell and expelled from the country.
The judgment has major significance for a court that is seeking to gain legitimacy within a region most of whose governments still retain the UK Privy Council as their final court of appeal.
The court had jurisdiction because Myrie had alleged a breach of CARICOM law, namely her right to free movement within CARICOM under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Woman hurt in single vehicle crash in East End
(CNS): There wa a serious road crash early Saturday morning on Seawiew Road, when a car travelling towards George Town ran off the right side of the road and collided with a number of trees. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said a 25-years-old female victim received serious injuries and was transported to Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town by ambulance. The police, fire service and ambulance responded to the report made at 3:11am (5 October). Police say the vehicle received extensive damages.
Beach erosion concerns at Dart hotel
(CNS Business): The problem of beach erosion, the challenge to turtle nests, run-off from the elevated site, as well as the proposed height have not stopped the Central Planning Authority (CPA) from granting the Dart-owned company, Blossom Estates Ltd, planning permission for a proposed hotel development on Seven Mile Beach. The Dart Group was given the go-ahead to begin constructing its 140-foot hotel, some 15 feet above the lawful height, on the eleven acres of land that now straddles the West Bay Road and the former Courtyard Marriott site, despite environmental concerns and an ongoing law suit challenging the legality of the road closure that created the beachfront site for the project.Read more on CNS Business
Early morning heist at George Town restaurant
(CNS): Two armed masked men robbed a local restaurant in George Town around 12.35 this morning (Tuesday). Police said that staff members at Meringue Town were securing the bar at the premises when they were approached by two men. Both suspects had their faces covered; one was in possession of what appeared to be a handgun, the other had a machete. After demanding money, they made off with a sum of cash and were last seen running off to the rear of the building. No shots were fired and no-one was injured. One suspect is 5’10”, slim build, dark complexion dressed in black t-shirt and dark jean pants; a t-shirt was covering his face. The other is 5’6”, light brown skin,dressed in dark clothing with his face covered. Both spoke with Caymanian accents.
Anyone who was in the area at the time, or who saw the suspects either before or running off after the robbery, is asked to call the Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777, or Crime Stoppers 800-8477(TIPS).
Botched robbery at Savannah
(CNS) Updated with correction: A 17-year-old member of staff at the Video Centre in Hirst Road, Savannah (and not Countryside, as the RCIPS previously reported) was confronted by a masked man armed with what appeared to be a handgun late last night. In a report Tuesday morning, the police said that shortly after 10pm on Monday, 30 September, the teenager was locking up the store when the robber suddenly appeared. The suspect demanded cash and then grabbed a bag from the victim and ran off. The bag, which did not contain any cash, was recovered a short distance away. No shots were fired and no-one was injured in the incident. The suspect is approximately 5’8”, slim build and was wearing blue pants, a dark jacket and a dark mask.
It is believed that the suspect approached the store from the direction of Savannah Meadows.
Anyone who was in the area at the time, or who saw the suspect either before or running off after the robbery, is asked to call thee Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777, or Crime Stoppers 800-8477(TIPS).
CNS Note: The RCIPS initially reported that this incident took place at Countryside Shopping Village but have since corrected the address of the video store premises, which is Hirst Road, Savannah.
The store is adjacent to the Countryside but is not part of that development, the RCIPS noted.
The RCIPS apologised for any confusion this has caused.
Loaded gun recovered in George Town
(CNS): A 21-year-old man is in custody after a foot chase resulted in the recovery of a loaded firearm in George Town, as the latest spate of gun crimes continues. Just after midnight in the early hours of Sunday 29 September, officers from the Unit Support Group were on patrol along Sheddon Road when they approached a young man. However, he fled on foot and a chase ensued, during which the suspect discarded an object. The man was caught and apprehended by officers, who searched the area and found a loaded handgun containing several rounds of ammunition. The gun was sized by USG officers and the young man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Anyone who was in the area at the time of the crimes or has any information regarding this incident should contact the George Town Police station on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).