T&T Spirit to do test runs this weekend

THE T&T Spirit is set to undergo sea trials this weekend in preparation for a return to service on the seabridge. The T&T Spirit has been on dry-dock for maintenance at the Caribbean Dockyard in Chaguaramas for over seven months.

Vilma Lewis, public relations officer at the TT Inter-island Transportation Company (TTIT) said yesterday test runs have started and are expected to continue throughout the weekend.

“We are supposed to do test runs this weekend but they have always been doing tests, so it’s nothing new. I don’t know if it is the final test run but I know that they are doing some more tests again on the weekend.” Asked if the returning T&T Spirit will operate on all four engines and will travel between the islands, in two and a half to three hours, Lewis stated she is unable to give this update until today.

The T&T Spirit was moved to dry-dock on June 5, for a one month maintenance period. On December 19, a day before the T&T Express was expected to begin its annual maintenance, the Port Authority announced the vessel will service the island for another two months. It was also announced that repairs on the T&T Spirit were still ongoing and the newly refurbished vessel will be returning to sea soon.

In a press release on December 19, the TTIT said the T&T Express was surveyed by DNV and Temporary Class Certificates were granted to will allow the vessel to operate for the extended period.

The release stated that most of the major works have been completed inclusive of the installation of the crankshaft. The new turbochargers were expected into the country by the end of January. The Port announced that the vessel will return at the end of February.