Sea accident: the investigation´s first results

The Ramaroson family lodged five complaints as a response to their beloved´s death, Nadine Ramaroson. One of them is targeting the ship owner, the company which chartered the boat, a speed boat named Black Shark. 

The investigation´s first results are seemingly blaming the ship owner since the ship was officially allowed to sail all around the Saint-Marie Isle. The trip to Soanierana Ivongo was therefore forbidden, especially since this zone´s danger was no secret at all. 

The investigators declared that the accident happened as the boat capsized due to mighty waves. The drama was triggered by the excessive introduction of water inside the boat, and by passengers suddenly hurled aside to the right by the wave´s strength. 

This movement irretrievably flung the boat. The next big wave that surged from the right sealed its fate and turned the boat upside down. The minister Ramaroson and her collaborators lost their lives as a result. 

The boat reached the river´s mouth at 15:15, exactly when the sea is rated as dangerous. The investigation revealed that the boat was relatively light. The number of people on board was not excessive. 10 people survived out of the 15 passengers and 2 crew members. 

The Ramaroson family members hinted the life attempt theory would not to be ruled out. For the time being, the sea is the single and long time suspect in a multiple accident case. 

The boat exploded, 30 minutes after the capsizing, whereas some residents were trying to turn it round. 6 more people died as a result and 8 were seriously injured. 12 people lost their lives and 8 others were injured in all, in the afternoon of Sunday August 28th, 2011 at the river´s mouth of Soanierana Ivongo. 

The Black Shark´s owner is now in the HAT´s justice´s sight. The ship was not allowed to travel between Soanierana Ivongo and Saint Marie. According to the investigators, both of its engines propelling the craft were too powerful, a fact which significantly increased the risks. 

The ministry of Transportation took the necessary measures to secure transportation between Madagascar´s north eastern coast and Saint-Marie. Entering the pass of Soanierana Ivongo in the afternoon is from now on strictly forbidden. Each and every trip will have to take place in the morning. 

The ministry and the agency managing sea transportation are keen on restricting the authorization for large ships on security reasons. Speed boats are no more allowed to transport passengers. The control of the administration and the staff’s expertise will be enhanced. 

The potential attempt hinted by a family freshly affected by the pain was understandable. It proves however too much unlikely to be turned into a political argument. In any case, the HAT´s minister Nadine Ramaroson received national tribute. Her death would have massively contributed to secure the deadly pass of Soanierana Ivongo. More than fifty people lost life during the latest years in the very same circumstances.