The Editor,
The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

Recently there has been much interest in the newly installed fuel tanks at the airport in Anguilla. The words ‘state of the art’ (whatever that means) were used to describe the project. Congratulations to all those concerned, but the project could require reassessment. Should these tanks be above ground, or buried underground for safety reasons? No gas station anywhere has tanks above ground.After making some enquiries, there was general agreement that indeed there was cause for concern.

When the airport in Grand Case, St. Martin was extended some years ago, the government there decreed the fuel tanks had be buried or the airport would be closed immediately. I suppose we are all aware that gasoline is fifteen times more explosive than dynamite. Any engineer from Florida or wherever, should have to abide by the instructions of our Planning Department. I am positive that no fuel tanks at international airports are installed above ground, waiting for an out-of-control aircraft to plough headlong into them, as was the case in St. Thomas, USVI many years ago when an American Airlines aircraft crash landed, and then ran into a gas station located too close to the airport. However, if safety is not a problem with these fuel tanks in Anguilla and through modern technology the tanks were installed correctly, again good luck to the entrepreneurs and their business. It is to be hoped that the US government will not have to ‘tell’ us Anguillians, what must be done to ensure that their citizens will continue to use our facilities in safety.

Thank you,
Concerned Citizen

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