The accident on the water at Ile-aux-cerfs that killed a French tourist, Philippe Darene, and badly injured his friend, Kamel Ahmida, has renewed the controversy on the safety of pleasure boats. Tourism minister, Anil Gayan, expressed his worry that this accident will not convey a reassuring image of Mauritius to potential tourists.

The survivor has already stated that it is his first and last trip to Mauritius. This can only bring bad publicity to Mauritius as a tourist destination. The two friends had come to Mauritius for a one-week holiday. As they had heard that Ile-aux-Cerfs is a prime tourist attraction, they were excited about visiting the place.

As soon as they arrived on the small island, a skipper came along with offers of water sports such as paragliding or a ride in the giant rubber ring pulled by a speed boat. They chose the rubber ring... ?I remember that after a few minutes in the lagoon, the skipper slowed down to take a bend near a pontoon. As from that moment, I can?t remember anything?, says survivor Kamel Ahmida.

The fact is that the rope linking the rubber ring to the boat broke during the turn and the two friends were dashed against the pontoon. Journalist Philippe Darène was killed on the spot. Dr Satish Boolell, who performed the autopsy, attributes his death to a fractured skull. Kamel Ahmida has suffered multiple fractures including a leg fracture.

Minister Gayan says this accident could have been avoided if there had been a second skipper on board as stipulated by law. There was already some tension between the boat-owners and the authorities on this question and this situation has further inflamed their relations.

Boat owners assert that the presence of another person would not have made any difference. Dan Calar, member of the Boat Owners and Builders Association, also rejects the minister?s view. ?I was sure Gayan would raise the issue of the boatman. It is his favourite argument in defence of the law. Even if there had been a boatman, he couldn?t have flown off to save the Frenchman. The accident was due to a broken rope. What magic trick could the boatman have done to prevent these two men from being thrown out? It is not possible. It is illogical.?

However, the president of the Trou d?Eau Douce Pleasure Craft Association, Prem Beerbaul, admits, ?The skipper may indeed not have been experienced enough. He should have checked the rope before going out with tourists to make sure it wasn?t worn or overheated (...) He should also have avoided getting too close to the pontoon. The authorities will now have to see if the length of the pontoon is acceptable or not.?

<B>Manslaughter charge </B>

After the dramatic event, the police had to look for the boatman, David Domingue. As soon as he realised how serious the situation was, he disappeared. He had taken the boatman?s test but had failed. The fact that he did not have a valid licence reinforces the Tourism minister?s opinion on the need for a qualified skipper on board. The boatman was finally arrested on Friday night and charged with manslaughter. He appered in Court yesterday and has been released after paying Rs 10,000 bail and signing a promissory note for Rs 30,000. He is due to appear in court again on 2nd August.

The survivor, Kamel Ahmida, is devastated by what happened. His physical wounds are practically nothing compared to the mental trauma he has suffered. He insisted on paying a last tribute to his good friend at Candos mortuary. People present vouch for the intense emotion that could be felt during the few minutes he spent next to his friend?s body. Soon after the accident, he said he should have died with his friend. He is due to fly back to France today after what was meant to be a dream holiday turned into a nightmare?