Three decades after the worst drowning tragedy in Barbados’ history, the island’s top marine biologist is repeating the exact same warning about the Hot Pot that he shared then – stay out of the water.
Following the tragic drowning death of 61-year-old Leroy Johnson last Saturday, Dr Leo Brewster, director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), pulled no punches about the notoriously dangerous Brighton, St Michael inlet.
“It should not be used as a swimming location,” Brewster firmly told a Nation team.
Brewster first warned about the deceptive jacuzzi-like inlet following the tragic drownings of 1997, when five lives were lost in the same waters. Back then, he explained the exact scientific mechanics that make the Hot Pot a hidden death trap.
“There used to be a sign up there that said it wasn’t a safe facility but I don’t know what happened to it,” Brewster said.
He reiterated that the area – artificially warmed by industrial runoff from the nearby Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) plant – was highly unstable.
“Depending on the volume and velocity of water [outfall] from the Barbados Light & Power Company, together with the currents, the sand could shift daily,” Brewster explained, quoting his own warnings from three decades ago.
“As a result, one day a bather could walk far out into the sea without reaching deep water; but the next day deep water could be very close to shore.”
He noted that when the outflow speed increases, it creates a violent rip tide that could overwhelm even strong swimmers.
When asked what the CZMU plans to do to enforce a closure, Brewster pointed to the National Conservation Commission (NCC), which has direct jurisdiction over beaches. He said that following Johnson’s death, “it may be something we would have to discuss internally”.
Ryan Als, general manager of the NCC, also issued a stark warning recently.
“We discourage people from swimming there because of the dangerous conditions,” Als stated.
He pointed out that the nearest lifeguard station was located at neighbouring Brandons Beach, nearly a mile away from the Hot Pot.
“People need to bathe at lifeguard- serviced beaches,” Als advised.
“The Hot Pot does have a sign saying ‘Dangerous currents, caution’ so people can make their own choices, but it’s
best you go to a lifeguard-serviced beach.”
Meanwhile, the BL&P has pushed back against any suggestion that its cooling operations were directly to blame for Saturday’s fatality.
In a statement, the utility company extended its “sincere condolences” to Johnson’s family, but noted there was nothing to suggest a link between the drowning and
its operations.
“At this stage, we are not aware of any information that links this tragic incident to the operations of Light & Power and it would be inappropriate for the company to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the drowning while the relevant authorities determine the facts,”
the statement read.
The company emphasised that while it discharges cooling water into the area, it does not manage, supervise, or control the public
beach. BL&P noted that it worked with the NCC to erect the
warning signage currently posted
at the site.
Despite the clear warnings from the CZMU, the NCC and the power company, the Hot Pot remains an attraction for seabathers. Many have said they were drawn to the warm waters, with some elderly patrons swearing by the water’s supposed therapeutic values.
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