The lone passenger ferry servicing the seabridge, the T&T Express, may remain in service until February, next year.
This as the vessel, which was scheduled to be taken off the route for dry dock today, has been granted approval to continue to operate by UK marine agency Lloyd’s Register, according to Port Authority officials.
The Guardian was unable to reach Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis on the issue but confirmation came from Micheal Annisette, of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union.
There had been concerns that if the T&T Express went on dry dock as planned this week the Ocean Flower 2, twice rejected for the seabridge, would have been brought into service.
The initial contract for the Ocean Flower 2 was cancelled in August after it arrived late, and although it was part of the bid round in September, it was not selected. Since then, the Port Authority reported to the Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan that it had been unable to find a replacement vessel. A four-member ministerial team including Finance Minister Colm Imbert is now leading the search for a vessel.
Annisette said he has received information that the T&T Spirit the other passenger ferry on the seabridge will be repaired in time for when the T&T Express goes out of service in February. He said the crankshaft for the vessel has arrived and the turbocharger needed to complete the repairs is due to arrive soon.