The Prime Minister’s security detail and other members of his entourage were among passengers who were told to disembark the T&T Express yesterday morning at the Scarborough Port, following the sudden cancellation of its sailing to Trinidad.
However, at about 4.41 pm passengers finally boarded for sailing to Trinidad after the technical problem which forced the delay was rectified.
The initial sailing of the vessel was scheduled for 6.30 am and expected to arrive in Port-of-Spain (PoS) at 10.30 am yesterday. It was then expected to depart PoS at 4 pm and arrive back in Scarborough at about 8 pm. However, the return sailing was cancelled due to the issues with the vessel.
This latest development came less than 12 hours after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley met with the Tobago stakeholders regarding the collapsed sea bridge, including the failed procurement of the Ocean Flower 2 from Bridgemans Services Group.
Yesterday’s delay and cancellation caused much frustration for passengers, especially the ones who visited Tobago over the weekend for the annual Great Race weekend festivities.
Many of them attempted to make alternative arrangements on the air bridge, but the T&T Guardian was told there were no available flights to Trinidad from ANR Robinson International Airport due to full bookings. The standby list had exceeded 150 up to press time.
Passengers described the situation at the Scarborough Port yesterday as “pure chaos.”
Contacted earlier yesterday, head of communications at T&T Inter-island Transportation Limited, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, confirmed that electrical issues had caused the delay to the T&T Express sailing and that passengers were eventually asked to disembark. At about 4.40 pm, Lewis-Cockburn said the problem had been rectified and passengers had re-boarded for departure.
Speaking to the T&T Guardian under strict anonymity, a port worker said passengers were hurling abusive language in frustration when they were made aware of the issue.
“People with their children, their babies, sitting all on the ground frustrated. They don’t even know when they will get to go home after their little relax time. They stressed out. People cussing and quarrelling, begging for the sea bridge to be properly functional without hiccups. It really is a sad sight.”
When contacted for comment yesterday, president of the Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Demi John Cruickshank said it was time for the vessel to be “dry docked.”
Asked if he thought the problem yesterday could have been an act of sabotage, given that the PM’s official vehicles and officials were on board and he had just discussed the issue the day before with Tobago stakeholders, Cruickshank laughed and said: “I am happy that the PM and his people are feeling, first hand, the effect of what we Tobago people feel and go through on a daily basis, but sabotage is not something I would want to put on the table.”
He added: “Those vessels are very old and due for dry dock. I mean, literally, the T&T Express due for an overhaul. Given the vessel’s age I hope it is serviced properly.”
Former transport minister Devant Maharaj weighed in on this latest development yesterday, describing it as “continued incompetence and ineptitude.”
“Tobago is now essentially cut off from Trinidad. This administration, headed by a Tobago-born Prime Minister that campaigned on a ticket of good governance and transparency, has continued to bungle and botch the Tobago sea and air bridge connections without taking responsibility. The Prime Minister continues to protect the line minister, who has only distinguished himself in making excuses and passing the blame,” Maharaj said.
The T&T Express, built in 1997, was purchased by the government and commissioned into service on December 27, 2006.