By Stephen Gay, Guardian Staff Reporter, stephen@nasguard.com

The government's not happy with the response from the victims of the Sea Hauler and United Star tragedy to its $1 million settlement. This was revealed by Maritime Affairs and Labor Minister Dion Foulkes during a press conference at his office yesterday.

On Wednesday, some of the victims who gathered at the Main Post Office building to collect their ex-gratia payments, openly voiced their displeasure with the amounts allotted. Some even claimed to have left the checks in the office of the minister.

Minister Foulkes, however, said that even though there were no findings of anything liable on behalf of any government agency, the government felt that the gesture of payment was the right and Christian thing to do.

"We thought that on behalf of the people of The Bahamas, the government should intervene, and this payment to the victims, we thought it was the right thing," Minister Foulkes said. "We are not happy with some of the responses. We thought that maybe the payments would have been appreciated by all."

According to the minister, the government prepared some 29 checks for the victims, and so far 23 have been collected. He added that despite claims made in the press by victims of leaving their checks in the office, Minister Foulkes said that of the 23 people who presented themselves for the payment, all 23 received their checks.

"I must say that the majority of persons who received checks were pleased with the amounts they received, but there were some that you saw (Wednesday) who were not satisfied," Minister Foulkes said."

According to the government's break down of the $1 million payment, the estates of the four deceased persons will receive $385,000, while the remaining $615,000 will be divided among the surviving victims.

These estate funds for the deceased have yet to be disbursed. The 16 persons that the government deemed to have suffered minor injuries (soft tissue injuries) will receive $160,00 each.

Five victims suffering from fractures were paid $25,000 each, totaling $125,000. Another seven victims suffering compound fractures received $40,000 each, with that bill totaling $280,000. In addition, a single $50,000 payout will be given to one person whose leg was amputated.

The government has not asked persons collecting checks to sign any release waivers. This means that should the victims not be happy with their payments, they would still be free to seek any retribution they deem necessary through the courts.

"The government has disbursed 22 checks totaling $515,000," Minister Foulkes said. "Some of the victims expressed their appreciation for what the government has done and some were not satisfied. We wish to emphasize that the courts, and a legal course of action is still open to every victim. We did not insist, nor did we want for the victims to sign any release from the government," the minister said. " If they feel that they still have a legal action against the government they can pursue their matter in the courts."

He continued, "If the courts rule in their favor, we will honor that ruling and if the award given by the court is higher than the amount we have already disbursed, we will pay the difference."

The minister also reiterated the government's commitment to pay off all past medical bills along with a commitment to pick up the tab for any medical attention sought at a government health care facility. The government has also made provisions for treatment and therapy victims may be required to get overseas.

"We have a fund that they can access from the Public Hospitals Authority, whenever there is a service or treatment not offered by PMH (Princess Margaret Hospital), the PHA will assist them in attaining that treatment here in The Bahamas or overseas," the minister said.

Minister Foulkes offered the government's assistance to one of the victims who is requiring additional medical assistance for a baby with kidney problems. He also offered to assist any of the victims interested in securing employment.