THE INQUIRY WILL BE HELD IN PUBLIC AND IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE SITTINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
The public is hereby notified that a Commission of Inquiry into the maritime collision at Anse Cochon in the Quarter of Anse La Raye on 18th July 2026 has been appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Cap 17.03 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia. The Terms of Reference for the Commission of Inquiry are as follows:
1. To investigate the circumstances surrounding the maritime collision at Anse Cochon involving the vessel Ocean Angel, registered in Castries and bearing official number SL077857 and the vessel Cazorla Jr, registered in Castries and bearing official number SL078180;
2. To review the legislation governing maritime accidents in Saint Lucia, including the Shipping Act (Cap 13.27), the Civil Code of Saint Lucia (Cap. 4.01), the Police Act (Cap. 14.01), the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Act (Cap. 8.13), the Customs (Control and Management) Act (Cap. 15.05) and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (Cap. 13.26) and to make recommendations to inform the drafting of a modern Maritime Act.
3. To review the Standard Operating Procedures and Protocols governing maritime activity, maritime safety and maritime investigations in Saint Lucia;
4. To make recommendations consequent on its findings.
Persons appointed to the Commission of Inquiry are as follows:
Justice Mario Michel – Chairperson
Mr. Cuthbert Didier – Commissioner
Mr. Kentry Frederick – Commissioner
Mr. Luke Defreitas – Commissioner
Mrs. Shahida Charlemagne-Octave – Legal Counsel
Ms. Lenita Joseph – Secretary
The Commission will commence public sittings on Tuesday 13th October, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Parliament Building, Laborie Street, Castries. The inquiry will be held in public and is open to members of the public who wish to attend the sittings of the Commission of Inquiry. Members of the media are also invited to attend. The protocols governing attendance at events at the Parliament’s Chamber will apply.
Witnesses, members of the public and the media are required to be at the Parliament Building and in the areas assigned to them by 9.45 am.
Persons who are interested in appearing before the Commission to give oral evidence are kindly asked to contact the Secretary by letter, email or telephone as follows:
Ms. Lenita Joseph
Secretary
Commission of Inquiry – Maritime Collision at Anse Cochon
Parliament Building
Laborie Street
Castries
Tel: (758) 285-6273
Email: inquirymaritime@govt.lc