Bulk Waste Collection Teams Continue Work on Cayman Islands

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is partnering with private sector providers and the National Roads Authority to pick up bulk waste currently at the roadside before Christmas.

Teams will work Friday 22 December through Sunday 24 December if required, to make certain that all bulk waste currently at the roadside is collected prior to the holidays

Members of the public are again reminded that the deadline to place waste at the roadside has passed, and that any additional waste will not be collected.

Furthermore there must be no mixing of regular residential waste with bulk waste, which refers to large items such as old furniture, household appliances and vegetative waste that are not collected as part of weekly domestic pick-up services.

The DEH thanks the public for its continued patience as the department works to ensure that the island is clean and ready for Christmas.

 

The Cayman Islands Christmas season hazards to aviation

From the Cayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority

George Town, Grand Cayman, (December 2017) – This holiday season the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reminds residents of some basic guidelines to help keep celebrations as safe as possible. The first of these is that permission from the authority is necessary to fly an unmanned aircraft within three nautical miles of any airport in the Cayman Islands. Flying kites near airports is also potentially dangerous to aircraft, and is likewise regulated. Furthermore all fireworks, laser and searchlight displays within three nautical miles of an airport must be coordinated with Civil Aviation. In addition any individual or organization planning to release sky lanterns may be liable for any damage caused by the release or resulting debris. For more information on how to avoid these holiday hazards to aviation contact the Civil Aviation Authority at tel.949-7811 Ext 242 or e-mail: alastair.robertson@caacayman.com. Interested persons can also read more at the CAA website caacayman.com.

See full PR below:

George Town, Grand Cayman, (December 2017) – The Christmas season is upon us once again and with it will come new presents to be enjoyed and events to be celebrated.

Unfortunately, some of these presents and celebrations can pose a threat to both the public and the aviation industry and the purpose of this advisory is to identify the requirements necessary to ensure the safety of all without detracting from the enjoyment of the Season. Activities likely to present the greatest risk to aviation and public safety in general include the flying of small unmanned aircraft (also known as drones or unmanned aerial vehicles) kites, sky lanterns and firework displays.

Small Unmanned Aircraft

The interest in and operation of small unmanned aircraft (SUA) has continued to increase significantly across the Cayman Islands particularly in the congested areas of West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, George Town and in the vicinity of the airports. Such operations pose a high risk of an incident or accident involving an SUA and a conventional aircraft. In addition to aircraft taking off and landing at the airports, there are also frequent flights involving the MRCU spray planes and the RCIPS and CIH helicopters all of which operate at low-level throughout the Cayman Islands.

As a protective measure, “no-fly” zones were introduced in February 2015 and it is now illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 3 nautical miles of Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman), Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac) and Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman) without a specific written permission issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. In addition, a “no fly” zone has also been established around HM Prison Northward and it is illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 1 nautical mile of the Prison perimeter without the specific written permission of the Director of Prisons.

Legislation covering the operation of SUA in Cayman Islands airspace can be found in Article 73 of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013 (AN[OT}O 2013) as amended

(http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/2870/article/73/).

Article 73 makes the SUA operator legally responsible for:

i) The safe conduct of each flight;

ii) Avoiding collisions with other people and objects including aircraft;

iii) Maintaining unaided visual line of sight with the SUA at all times;

iv) Not flying within 150m of any congested areas, or over gatherings of people v) Not flying within 50m of a person, vehicle, vessel, building or structure

The use of an SUA for commercial purposes requires a Permission issued by the CAACI.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Article or flies an SUA within the ‘no fly” zones identified above, is guilty of an offence and may be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding CI$3,400.00.

Kites

The flying of kites in the vicinity of airports is potentially dangerous to aircraft particularly during the taking–off and landing phases. Not only is there a risk that the body of the kite could damage the aircraft or be ingested by a jet engine with possibly catastrophic results, but the control lines, sometimes made of high tensile steel wire on performance aerobatic models, can pose a significant hazard to propeller driven aircraft

Article 71 of the (AN[OT}O 2013) effectively limits the height at which a kite can be flown to a maximum of 100ft above ground level (AGL) within a 3 nautical mile radius of an airport. Beyond this distance, a kite cannot be flown above 200ft AGL within the Cayman Islands.

The rules regulating kite flying may not be generally known and the purpose of this advisory is to provide the necessary information to allow the public to understand the potential hazards to aviation and to enjoy this recreational activity within the limits established by law.

In the Cayman Islands this danger was exemplified during 2017 when a helicopter was badly damaged and a crew member injured as a result of it colliding with the control wire of a kite being flown well above the maximum permitted height. The aircraft was able to land safely, however, the incident could easily have resulted in the loss of helicopter and the lives of those on board. Subsequently, the owner/operator of the kite was prosecuted and sentence is awaited.

In order to protect the safety of aircraft, the operators of kites being flown above the heights specified are liable to be prosecuted and may have their equipment confiscated.

Fireworks and Light Displays

Firework displays can vary from small domestic events to major commercial or ceremonial displays whilst light shows include all outdoor laser and searchlight displays. The associated risk posed by these events is increased when the activities take place in the vicinity of aerodromes, particularly during critical phases of flight including approach, landing and take-off.

Organizers planning firework and light displays during the coming season are reminded of the legal requirement under Article 165 of the (AN[OT}O 2013) to coordinate their proposed events with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) in order to prevent potential threats to aircraft operations.

Coordination with the CAACI is required for all firework activity that takes place within 3 nautical miles of an airport or under the approach and departure paths. Firework displays outside this area where the display height is expected to exceed 200ft above ground level must also be coordinated with the CAACI. Proposed laser and searchlight events within the same areas are similarly subject to coordination with and approval by the CAACI.

Firework, Laser and Light displays which come into this category must be formally approved in advance by the CAACI and will incur the appropriate fee, as per the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order Fees Regulation 2010.

In addition, the indiscriminate use of hand–held lasers can endanger an aircraft, its occupants and people on the ground if the crew is blinded by it. In recent years there have been several reports of lasers being directed into the cockpit of aircraft and during 2017 an individual was successfully prosecuted for endangering an aircraft by the dangerous use of a laser.

Sky Lanterns

Sky Lanterns are forming an increasingly significant part of community and individual celebrations in the Cayman Islands and the number and size of lanterns being released is increasing to a point where they can pose a hazard to aircraft.

Unlike other forms of recreational and celebratory activities including SUA and kite flying, firework displays and laser light shows, all of which can be controlled from the ground, sky lanterns cannot be controlled once released and the larger lanterns, some of which exceed 4ft in height and diameter, are able to climb in the prevailing wind to a height of several thousands of feet.

Many such products are described by the manufacturers or the retailers as being “bio degradable” inferring that they burn themselves out and leave no trace behind them. Whilst this may be true of successful launches over the sea, it is not necessarily the case of Sky lanterns which are blown back over the land. There are documented incidents in which fires have been started, property destroyed or damaged by the smouldering remains and of livestock injured form digesting bamboo or wire debris.

In addition, the risk to aviation is obvious and although there is currently no legislation in place to regulate the release of sky lanterns the need for caution and careful planning before a launch will be equally obvious.

Any individual or organization planning to release sky lanterns should consider their personal liability in the event that damage to property or injury to humans or animals is caused either by the release of a sky lantern or the debris generated by them.

 

Two C’bean countries jolted by early morning earthquake

From Jamaica Observer

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 jolted two Caribbean islands during the early hours of Wednesday, the Trinidad-based Seismic Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has reported.

It said that the quake occurred just after midnight at 12:13 am (local time) and was felt in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

According to the SRC, the quake was felt 51 kilometres (km) north west of Scarborough in Tobago, and 108 km north, north east of Arima in East Trinidad. It was also detected at 99 km south east of St Georg’s Grenada.

It had a depth of 10km was located latitude: 11.57N and Longitude: 60.99W.

There were no immediate reports of personal injuries or damage to infrastructure.

For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Two_C%26%238217;bean_countries_jolted_by_early_morning_earthquake?profile=1228

 

 

Cayman Islands Liquor Board Extends Hours for Holidays

The Liquor Licensing Board has approved a blanket extension to all retail, wine and beer, restaurant, and hotel licences for the following dates:

Ø Tuesday, 26 December 2017, 12.01am until 4am and;

Ø Monday, 1 January 2018, 12.01am until 4am.

Regular licensing conditions/hours apply to Sunday, 24 December 2017; Christmas Day – Monday, 25 December 2017 and Sunday, 31 December 2017.

 

New Royal Caribbean Video

Royal Caribbean have just launched a new video , “Royal Caribbean Adventurist Shay Mitchell: Adventures in Nassau, Bahamas.” Actress and avid traveler Shay Mitchell shares her ultimate Bahamas experience, including learning about junkanoo and where you can find the freshest conch salad.

View Video Here: https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/video/956/royal-caribbean-adventurist-shay-mitchell-adventures-in-nassau-bahamas/

 

Cayman Islands restaurant owner dies

It is with much sadness we report the death of Frank Fleiger, the owner of the popular steak house on Grand Cayman, Copper Falls.

A black ribbon and closure sign notice was placed on the doors of the restaurant on Monday.

We were informed Mr Fleiger died Sunday (17) night soon after the last customers left his restaurant.

 

Cayman Islands Family Resource Centre Holiday Season Closures

The public is asked to note the following closures of the Family Resource Centre during the holiday season:

December 2017

Friday, 22 December – Closing at noon

Monday, 25 December – Christmas Day

Tuesday, 26 December – Boxing Day

Friday, 29 December – Closing at noon

January 2018

Monday, 1 January – New Year’s Day

(GIS)

 

Cayman Islands: Honda Civic Reported Stolen

From RCIPS

Shortly after 5AM on Sunday, 17 December, police received a report that a vehicle had been stolen from Manse Road in Bodden Town. The vehicle, a burgundy Honda Civic, was taken sometime between 10:30PM on Saturday, 16 December, and 4:00AM on Sunday, 17 December. A picture of a similar vehicle is attached.

Vehicle:

Make: Honda

Model: Civic

Year: 2000

Colour: Burgundy

Registration: Unknown

The matter is currently being investigated by officers in Bodden Town.

Anyone with information regarding this stolen vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1 or the Bodden Town Police Station at 649-2220. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or via the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS), or online at the link: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=681

 

Complimentary valet parking available at Camana Bay this holiday season

Camana Bay is prepared to make Christmas shopping easier than ever. Offering complimentary valet parking throughout the holiday season, guests can be in and out in a heartbeat. Available Mondays to Saturdays from 12-11 p.m., the valet service is operated by Premier Valet and is available on Forum Lane just outside Bay Market. If guests wish to stay for dinner, drinks or a late movie and want to collect their car after 11 p.m., keys will be available at the Town Centre’s security office, located directly opposite the valet stand, next door to Mail Boxes Etc.

Many shops are open late in the run up to Christmas, including the Camana Bay Visitor Centre (open until 8 p.m. Dec. 18 to 23), where you can pick up your Camana Bay Gift Cards.

 

Deadly attack on Methodist church in Pakistan

From BBC

A suicide bomb and gun attack on a Methodist church in Pakistan has killed at least eight people, officials say.

Militants stormed the church, which was packed with worshippers at the time, in the city of Quetta, some 65km (40 miles) from the Afghan border.

The Islamic State group has said it carried out the attack.

Two suicide bombers were stopped at the entrance to the church, Sarfraz Bugti, the Balochistan region’s home minister, said.

Had the men got any further, there could have been hundreds of casualties, he added.

One of the men detonated his bomb vest and the other was stopped in a gunfight with police.

Two more attackers fled and a search operation is under way, according to reports.

Dozens of people are known to have been wounded in the attack, which took place during a Sunday service at Bethel Memorial Methodist Church.

A witness told the BBC that several children attending Sunday school had taken shelter while firing continued around them.

A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry, Dr Mohammed Faisal, condemned the attack.

Attacks in the mainly Sunni Muslim region are not uncommon, often targeting the Hazara Shia Muslim community in suicide bombings.

But Pakistan’s Christian minority has also frequently been the subject of militant attacks, and guards had been placed near the church in Quetta as a result.

For more and video: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42383436

 

Cayman Islands: St. Alban’s Anglican Church Holiday Services