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

Wednesday was payday for the victims of the 2003 Sea Hauler/United Star boating accident, but when some of them went to pick up their checks they said what they thought was going to be a day of celebration turned out to be another disappointment.

About a dozen of them showed up early yesterday morning outside the Office of the Attorney General on East Hill Street, waiting patiently in line as security officers called for the next person to sign for their check.

The government recently announced that while it would not admit any fault on the part of any government agency, it would make a $1 million ex gratia payment to the victims as a gesture of goodwill.

That was good enough for the victims two weeks ago when they praised the government's decision to make the gift, but as they came out of the AG's office, one by one, their faces registered a look of discontent.

When The Guardian spoke to one woman - the mother of 14-year-old Lynden Rolle who died in the collision - she was on the verge of tears and said she felt like she was going to "break down."

She said that someone in the AG's office told her that she would have to go through probate to get her check, a process that could take at least two weeks.

Another victim, Cedric Hart, who was in a coma for nearly two years as a result of the crash, echoed what some of the others said when he remarked that the amount he received could not even begin to cover his medical expenses.

"I left the (check) up there. I don't want to deal with it," he said. He declined further comment.

Tennyson Leslie, who lost his wife and his leg in the crash, was not as distraught as some of the others.

"At least I can say thanks to the government for what it has done, and thanks to God," he said. "If it wasn't for God, I could have died just like my wife. My wife died in my hands. So I have to say thanks for everything that's been done."

Another woman said, "It's a little disappointing but it's there to come."

"We'll wait another few weeks," she said.

Sophia Antonio, one of the group's spokespersons explained what some of the victims were going through.

"We came out here brisk and happy, basically expecting not $1 million but something to make us happy and help make ends meet and all that," Antonio said. "But the majority of us are not happy with what we've received."

She said that while the government's goodwill gesture was nice, it would only take care of some of the victims' problems.

"We have people here who owe over $5,000 in rent. If you collect a check for $15,000 and you pay five for rent, you're left with what, $10,000?" she said.

"You still have to live. You still have to pay rent. You still don't have a job. You still have to give your lawyer something to pursue your case against the two boats. We're not trying to seem ungrateful, but we're trying to be real."

When The Guardian asked to speak to officials at the AG's office, security officers said everyone was occupied.

Antonio said the group saw about a third of the $1 million Wednesday.

She said the group would continue to pursue a lawsuit against the owners of the Sea Hauler and the United Star, and possibly the government.