13 fishermen rescued

Thirteen fishermen from Yallahs, St Thomas who were adrift at sea for three days returned to the shores of Jamaica after being rescued at sea by a Philippines vessel yesterday morning.

The fishermen are 43 year-old captain Delroy Sommerville, Marcus King, 33, Leon Gordon 33, Laurel Richmond 33, Marshall Williams 33, Alston Ranglin 39, Franklyn Hall 46, Simeon Ferron 23, Orville McIntosh 30, Dalton Russel 32, Crosbie Trenton, 22, Nigel Neeham 46 and 31 year-old Anthony Wint.

The crew departed the Yallahs coast on a fishing expedition aboard the 30-foot vessel “Queen Madge” on Saturday, and on Sunday it developed mechanical problems and went adrift.

A passing Philippines vessel – the “Fulcore” – yesterday morning rescued the fishemen and took them to Port Kaiser in Alligator Pond, Manchester. They were later transferred to the Mandeville Police Station where they were assisted to their homes.

Alleged conman held

A man suspected of fleecing persons seeking overseas employment was taken into custody by the Half-Way-Tree police yesterday morning.

The man, police said, was involved in an overseas employment scam, allegedly fleecing perszons seeking employment in Cayman and Bahamas.

Anyone who might have been a victim of this scam is being asked to call the Half-Way-Tree police at 926-2551.

JPS gets new chairman

THE Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) yesterday announced the appointment of Curt Morgan, 45, as chairman of its board of directors, effective September 29, 2005.

Morgan is executive vice-president and chief operating officer of JPS’ parent company, Mirant.

J R Harris, who served as chairman of JPS, has been promoted to president of Mirant Philippines.

Charles Matthews will continue in his role as president and CEO of JPS, and will assume additional responsibility for Mirant’s Trinidad operations. He will report directly to Morgan.

Heavy rain hits coast as Ophelia picks up strength

NAGS HEAD, North Carolina (AP) – Hurricane Ophelia gradually picked up strength yesterday as it closed in on North Carolina, soaking the region with a half-foot of rain, washing away a barrier island street and causing power outages.

The storm had sustained wind of 85 mph (137 kph) yesterday afternoon, up from 75 mph (120 kph) early in the morning, the National Hurricane Centre said. Hurricane warnings were shifted northward, covering the entire North Carolina coast from the South Carolina line to Virginia, where a tropical storm warning covered the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.