Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley has praised the efforts of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) but says lessons also need to be learned from Hurricane Bill.

Senator Dunkley said he was "very disturbed" at comments made by Acting Public Safety Minister Walter Roban and Police Commissioner George Jackson on the eve of the storm.

He said as soon as the closure of the Causeway was announced, Mr. Roban should also have informed the public of an emergency shelter in the East End and also in the West End.

Sen. Dunkley said it was not enough just to have a Government designated shelter in the central parishes, in the event of a sudden change in storm direction.

He also questioned why Mr. Jackson claimed he was unaware the Police rescue boat was in dry dock on the eve of a hurricane.

At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Mr. Roban informed the public of the closure of the Causeway at 8.30 p.m. and that CedarBridge Academy would open as an emergency shelter from 5 p.m.

However when asked if there was a similar shelter in the East End, Mr. Roban said Government had allocated a venue but that weather conditions did not presently necessitate opening the doors.

He said therefore there was also no need to inform the public about it, but if the situation changed, Government would do so.

Sen. Dunkley said last night: "The Emergency Measures Organisation was very progressive about getting out ahead of the storm and telling people what was going on.

"I fully supported the closure of the Causeway. However, I was flabbergasted that there was no allocation of a shelter announced in the East End.

"I think it's wrong not to have a shelter at both ends of the Island as well as in the centre. If at the last minute we were placed under more harm it would have been too late to open up shelters and notify people.

"In closing the Causeway they should also have been able to say, 'This is the emergency shelter in St. George's', for those who could not get back over the bridge.

"It was categorically wrong, and I was disappointed in the Minister for him to say, we will let you know in due course.

"Also from the West End, it would have been difficult to travel all the way to CedarBridge in the middle of the storm. We should have shelters open at both ends," he said.

Sen. Dunkley added: "I also found it curious that the Police Commissioner said he was unaware of the situation with the rescue boat and he wasn't aware it had been taken out of the water.

"The Commissioner went on to say Bermuda is not equipped for proper search and rescue. This brings to light that the Police and all the services need to review where we stand currently and what recommendations need to be made to Government as to what is needed going forward.

"We should not be in a position on the eve of a storm for the Commissioner to say he is not aware of what is up with the Police rescue boat, and then to question our ability to rescue people at this time.

"People are nervous and apprehensive on the eve of a hurricane and are looking for confidence and leadership, that we are going to ride through it.

"They are looking for the Minister and the Police Commissioner to reassure them and I don't think Minister Roban helped that in any way. Then the Commissioner came right behind him, saying he doesn't know what is going on with the rescue boat."

Sen. Dunkley said: "I was very disturbed on the eve of a hurricane to see that type of message being sent. We need to live and learn."

The Opposition Senator however, did applaud the efforts of the EMO, emergency services and the Bermuda Weather Service.

"Generally, I think that we have certainly made some improvements over time. I think EMO has done a pretty good job of taking a critical view of what's happened in the past and trying to improve as we go forward.

"I want to thank everyone who has worked and supported the hurricane efforts," he said.

"As we hunker down in our homes, we sometimes forget that small groups of people are there ready to serve and go out in difficult conditions.

"I also want to applaud the Bermuda Weather Service. I was delighted to see the Weather Service had it correct the whole way through and provided updates on the storm throughout the night."

The Royal Gazette asked Mr. Roban, as Acting Public Safety Minister, to comment on what conclusions EMO has drawn regarding the procedures and measures taken during Hurricane Bill.

This newspaper also asked the Minister to comment on why the Police boat was not operational, and to comment on some confusion among the public as to where the East End emergency shelter would be.

We received no response by the time of going to press.

In a statement on Sunday however, Mr. Roban said: "From all reports it appears that Bermuda suffered minimal damage and interruption of services as a result of Hurricane Bill passing to our west on Saturday morning."

He said: "I again want to commend the EMO. Our preparation exercises allowed a smooth flow of information such that pre and post-Hurricane Bill operations were executed with efficiency."

The Minister encouraged residents to make sure they were prepared for any future storms by visiting the website: www.emo.gov.bm.

Regarding the rescue boat, a Police spokesman said: "At an appropriate time the Bermuda Police Service will issue a statement on this matter."

Last night Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: "We are fortunate and thankful Hurricane Bill turned west, instead of east, and Bermuda was spared from a horrendous direct hit.

"On the South Shore, the minor damage resulted mainly from high winds and storm surge.

"I trust Bermudians will use this experience to prepare even better for any other storm that might come our way. Meantime, the excellent planning and execution by the EMO should be deeply appreciated by our citizens."