Montserrat Today
For Wednesday/Thursday February 04/05, 1998
Presented by the Information Unit of the
Government of Montserrat's Emergency Department
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
The activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano increased overnight with near continuous periods of rockfall. Earlier this morning there was what was thought to be a small pyroclastic flow on the Galways side of the dome.
The results of the GPS survey of the LEESNET carried out on Monday show that there has been no significant movement at any of the stations.
Wind direction overnight, caused ash to be blown over Salem, Olveston, Woodlands, and points further north.
In addition, over the last 24 hours there have been a few hybrid and long period earthquakes. Although the dome is covered by cloud, it is thought to be still growing on the southwestern side.
FOUR STRONG DELEGATION IN ENGLAND:
The Hon Chief Minister, Mr David Brandt, the Hon Minister of Agriculture, Mr P. Austin Bramble, Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Reuben T. Meade and businessman Mr Kenny Cassell form the 4 man delegation currently in Britain for the British Dependent Territories Conference.
As well as attending the London based conference the Montserrat delegation will also have meetings with British officials on the response to the ongoing volcanic crisis.
TRAVEL TO/FROM MONTSERRAT:
For 1998, the helicopter service to/from Montserrat is as follows:-
Antigua to Montserrat every day except Wednesday depart V.C. Bird International Airport at 7 am and 4 pm. Check in at the Carib Aviation Desk one hour before)
Montserrat to Antigua every day except Wednesday depart Gerald's Heliport at 7.30 am and 4.30 pm. (Check in one hour before)
All seats on the helicopter are on a "stand by" basis only and all seats must be requested at M.A.S. in Montserrat in advance at telephone number 664 491 2533. Luggage space is severely limited on the helicopter. One way ticket costs approx EC$90.
The ferry service has a seating capacity of approx 200 and can carry large ammounts of baggage. The ferry departs Heritage Quay, St Johns, Antigua for Montserrat at 4 pm every day except Sunday. Check in at the small office at the rear of the Heritage Quay Hotel one hour before departure. There is no need to book in advance except at peak times. Single fare is EC$75.
It is also possible to get on the early morning ferry that leaves Antigua at approx 6.15 am each morning except Sunday but passengers MUST be placed on the passenger manifest the evening before. To do this passengers must contact Mr Percy Arthurton of Carib World Travel in Antigua at 268 460 6101 before 4 pm the preceeding day.
The ferry from Montserrat to Antigua leaves at 8 am each day except Sunday. Check in at Little Bay jetty is at 7 am, once again there is no need to book in advance unless it is peak times. The ferry also travels to Antigua at around 5.15 pm each afternoon and once again it is possible to travel if passengers have been placed on the manifest previously. Check with M.A.S. at 664 491 2533 for further information.
The ferry service is fully recommended as the best way to travel between the islands because of its luggage and passenger capabilities.
CARIBBEAN FORUM:
Montserrat will be represented at the Caribbean Forum to be held in The Bahamas on Feb 12/13th 1998.
The forum is one of three UK/Caribbean initiatives recently announced by Britain's Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeeting in Scotland.
The Hon Chief Minister, Mr David Brandt will attend the forum and on the first day there will be talks between the Caribbean Dependent Territories & Bermuda and other Caribbean members of the Commonwealth. The second day will be devoted to discussions between EU Member States and Caribbean countries.
HOT MIX PLANT READY:
The new Hot Mix Plant built at Brades with British funding is completed and ready for the first mix. Bitumen has been arriving on island from Trinidad and the engineer from the British company who supplied the plant is also on island to test run the plant.
The first products from the new plant will help in the resurfacing of the Hilltop to Brades main road which is currently having prepatory road works carried out on it.
More information later in the week...........................