Ferry evaluations submitted

Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis yesterday said the evaluation committee that was examining tenders for the supply of a roll-on/roll-off passenger fast ferry, submitted its report last Friday. Lewis told Newsday the committee submitted its report,”after deliberating for just over a week.” She said the tenders committee will deliberate on the report this week before submitting it to the board of the Authority.

Lewis said once the board completes its deliberations on the report, it will submit its recommendations to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan. Upon receipt of these recommendations, she said Sinanan would, “take a note outlining his recommendations for the approval of Cabinet.” Tenders were submitted on September 20. Among the vessels being considered is the Ocean Flower II ferry, which is on dry dock at Caridock in Chaguaramas.

Earlier this year, the Authority cancelled a contract with Bridgemans Services Group (BSG) for the Ocean Flower II to operate on the domestic seabridge, because the vessel did not arrive on time. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley subsequently appointed businessman Christian Mouttet to submit a report into the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the Ocean Flower II and the Cabo Star cargo vessel. The Cabo Star is also owned by BSG. Mouttet submitted his report to Rowley in September. The report has been sent to the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

Meanwhile in a statement, the Authority said the TT Express did not sail from Port-of-Spain at 3 pm yesterday and will not sail from Tobago today at 6.30 am. The Authority apologised and said this is due to ongoing repairs on the Express.

The public will be advised today on the Express’ next sailing time. The Authority said the Cabo Star will sail today from Port-of-Spain at 2 pm and from Tobago at 11 pm. The Authority said sailings of the Cabo Star on Saturday and yesterday were cancelled due to necessary maintenance work.