Port authority boss sacked

| 19/02/2015 | 20 Comments

(CNS): The long-standing director of the Port Authority has been booted out of his post as the board confirmed it would not be renewing his contract later this year. Paul Hurlston has been placed on leave with full pay until 21 May but no reasons have been given for his departure. Apparently a casualty of an internal review being conducted by local consultants Deloitte into the loss-making entity, Hurlston’s future at the critical government authority had been the subject local rumour and speculation for some time.

A recruitment drive is about to commence to find a replacement for Hurlston, who has been at the helm since 2001 after serving as assistant director since 1992.

Board officials told the local television news station, Cayman 27, that there would be no further job cuts among the 160 strong workforce but concerns remain that the consultants will be wielding the axe as the port continues to lose money. The authority staff were told last year that they may all have to re-apply for their jobs as sweeping changes are expected there to curb on-going losses.

The Office of the Auditor General has raised concerns about the port viability and has said the authority’s ability to continue as a going concern was in jeopardy without some major changes. Pointing to the increased fees in 2010, Alastair Swarbrick said there was not much more room to generate more revenue and pointed to headcount cuts or government subsidy as the solution.

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Comments (20)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Why don’t you go back home driftwood!

  2. Clear as Mud says:

    When the Port makes money, the Board wants the credit, but when it makes a loss, they want to blame the Port Director, who only carries out the policy decisions of the Board and government. They are trying to make it look like it is Paul’s fault that the Port loss money on two occasions, but I know Paul and he is not one to squander money. In fact, how many years has the port paid government a dividend? Many years. But Paul is a quiet, honest man, who doesn’t say much and I would really like to hear his side, because something doesn’t smell quite right here and I suspect there is some bad blood somewhere, especially when I see statements like, “we did not wish to renew his contract.” I also smell something fishy with this organizational review I hear that has been initiated, but in this age of “transparency” it should soon become apparent what they are up to there too. Paul, don’t sit back and allow them to beat up on you. Come forward and tell us what is really going on. I hear those guys at the Port are terribly upset over what they did to you.

    • Sharkey says:

      Politicians all over the world same to think the same ways. If they have all the big money donation to their campaign next election they will win. I hope that everyone can see where and who, the politicians are sending these jobs to . Remember that the money don’t vote___ the people do . Watch their actions and speak up , if they don’t hear you , then next election make them see you .

  3. Castor says:

    There’s going to be a story come out of this……. that is if the report is ever made public and if any action is taken on the report. Interesting stuff!

  4. Driftwood says:

    How can the monopoly port facility be losing money???

  5. Anonymous says:

    Where do I get one of the jobs where they pay you to stay home? What qualifications do I need?

  6. Thor says:

    Why just mr. Hurlstone is being sacked? If a company is losing money then it should be the CEO and board of directors. They are the ones that makes the decisions and give directions of the company.

    • Anonymous says:

      It was the board of directors who sacked him!!!! so yes 7:11pm you are 100% correct…but where will this go, no where like everything else..unless the complaints commission gets involved

  7. Anonymous says:

    Another employee sent home with full pay…. What the flippin hell man!? Can I come to work for CIG and get sent home with full flipping pay for the next 2 months????

  8. Anonymous says:

    I worked with Mr Hurlstone for over 10 years, his integrity was always above and beyond, not sure why they sacked him. But are there people inside the Port that should be moved up the ladder to take over his position then???? Why hire outside? Promote within? Isn’t this what government keeps preeching…

  9. Anonymous says:

    Next is the shipping registry director as MACI is also not being run efficiently and is subsidized by Govt. Unless of course the PPM will play favorites with their big supporters.

    • Anonymous says:

      MACI is actually one of the more efficient authorities, it also the only authority that has to compete in the global market unlike many of the other government entities. MACI is recognize as the leader in the yacht registration in the World. All of this has been accomplished by the current director.

      MACI is not subsided but has a purchase agreement with the government for which is provides services such as policy advice and ship registration on a fee for service to the government, how can this be called subsidization. Suggest you get your facts right before posting information which is incorrect.

      • Anonymous says:

        A remarkably knowledgeable answer, 5:00pm. It sounds as if you have genuine finance expertise and inside knowledge of MACI. Could you therefore confirm or clarify whether the Director’s salary is $170k?

      • Anonymous says:

        Well I guess the CNS article below is false then. Right…

        MACI losses stir up LA
        Posted on Wed, 09/04/2014 – 16:29 in Politics
        (CNS): With losses of more than $1.2 million over the last five years, the Cayman Islands Maritime Authority (MACI) stirred up proceedings Wednesday, when the Legislative Assembly opened on Cayman Brac. Ezzard Miller called on his fellow members of the LA to reject its 2013 financial report, pointing out that year after year government was accepting increasing losses at yet another statutory authority, which at worst should be breaking even when it was originally created to make a profit. Pointing to the complete absence of any explanation for the growing losses by MACI, despite revenue increases, the North Side member said the report should be sent back and the directors held to account.

        The report was tabled by the financial services minister, Wayne Panton, as proceedings began and although he mentioned the more than $377,000 loss which government will suck up, there was no detailed explanation given for it as he thanked the board for their “professional and steadfast service”. However, when Miller got to his feet and called for the House to reject the report, that “professional service” was called into question.

        He pointed out that although there were record level earnings on the 1,966 ships now registered with the authority of more than $8.4 million, expenses were more than $9.2 million. 60% went to wages for the 50 employees, with $476,000 alone on three managers. Over $600,000 was spent on travel and entertainment and Miller asked why no one was asking what was happening. Given the constant loses, Miller queried the sense in retaining the register as an autonomous authority.

  10. Anonymous says:

    THings should be investigated deeply….this government is no better then the last one in fact they are worse…..how is it that Errol Bush was removed from the post years back but yet he is now sitting on the Port Board and look who he gets rid of????

    • Anonymous says:

      How come is because if you are Caymanian you can get away with anything. Just sit in the wings and wait to be flavour of the month for whatever reason.

  11. Anonymous says:

    No reason why they sacked him???? Think back a few years back…poor Mr Hurlstone he never had a chance

  12. Anonymous says:

    Yeah mor eto come. they gonna do the samething here like they did at airport and make about 10 staff redundant.

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