By JUAN McCARTNEY, Guardian Senior Reporter, juan@nasguard.com

The victims of the 2003 Sea Hauler tragedy will receive their government ex gratia payments on Wednesday, Minister of Labor and Maritime Affairs Dion Foulkes said in a statement released Monday.

Although the government claims that no government agency or department was "in any way responsible" for the collision that claimed the lives of four people and injured 25 others, it announced nearly two weeks ago that it would be making a goodwill payment of $1 million to the victims.

"The government fully sympathizes with the victims of the Sea Hauler tragedy," Foulkes said, "and hopes that these payments will help to relieve their suffering and bring some comfort to the families of those who died."

The checks will be distributed from the Ministry's offices in the Post Office building, East Hill Street.

"All persons collecting checks are asked to bring proof of identity such as a passport, voter's card or driver's license," the statement added. "Payments to the estate of deceased persons can be collected by the legally appointed representatives or trustees."

The government decided to categorize injuries based upon severity and to pay victims or their estates accordingly (see table below).

The government also announced Monday that it would pay for the Sea Hauler victims' past and future medical expenses at any government healthcare facility.

It was during the August Monday holiday weekend in 2003 that the Sea Hauler mailboat, overcrowded with passengers on their way to the annual Cat Island Regatta, collided with the United Star, a freight vessel, near Highbourn Cay, Exuma and Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera.

Four persons — Brunell Smith Ellis, Brenda Smith Leslie, Livingston Seymour and Lynden Riley — died in the collision and 25 others were seriously injured.

Each survivor's story is painfully tragic. Tennyson Leslie said when he woke up after the crash, his first sight was that of his wife, whose head had been crushed by the crane.

Leslie suffered horrific injuries. The crane had cut off his leg and he could not get to his wife who by that time was already dead.

Meanwhile, Cedric Hart, who sustained major spinal injuries, fell into a coma and spent two years in hospital following the accident. During the accident the Sea Hauler's crane fell on Hart, who now uses a crutch to help him walk.

Another victim's lungs were damaged and spine bruised.

Table: Categories of Sea Hauler victims to receive payments

Deceased with dependents (3 people)

Deceased with no dependents (1 person)

Amputation (1 person)

Compound fracture (7 people)

Fractures (5 people)

Soft tissue injuries (16 people)