Fire stops Cabo Star ferry sailing to Tobago

VIDEO footage of a possible fire on board the cargo vessel MV Cabo Star while it was docked at the Port of Port of Spain began circulating on Facebook on August 20.

It showed a fire truck, several fire officers and police as port workers looked on while smoke billowed from the vessel's upper deck, leaving it out of service.

Newsday visited the port on Wrightson Road, around 12.45 pm. The boat was docked out of immediate view.

Scores of passengers scheduled to sail on the Cabo Star later in the day lined up with tickets in hand, making arrangements to sail on the Galleons Passage instead.

About 20 passengers were sitting under a white tent at the front of the building, waiting to see if there would be room for their vehicles.

The Cabo Star has a 300-vehicle capacity.

Around 1.15 pm, a worker from the authority began calling some vehicle numbers, saying they could board. The remaining passengers were called about 15 minutes later.

A statement from the authority said the Cabo Star fire was under investigation and, “given the nature of the incident, the (August 20) service will be cancelled.” It said the public would be advised when sailings resume.

In August 2023, a fire on board the same vessel stranded passengers at sea for 17 hours.

The authority said then the fire broke out in the engine room after the vessel left Scarborough, Tobago, and was isolated and extinguished by the crew following emergency protocols.