Ministry: Efforts to refloat Gulfstream delayed by bad weather

THE Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries says efforts to refloat the overturned barge – Gulfstream – off the coast of the Cove Industrial Park, Tobago, were delayed by bad weather due to Hurricane Ernesto, which resulted in rough seas and widespread thunderstorms and showers of varying intensities across Trinidad and Tobago.

In a release on August 16, the ministry said the refloat-and-tow phase of the project was expected to take place from August 5-10.

However, it said owing to rough seas, caused by three consecutive "weather events" during that period, the process was suspended, “as the safety of all personnel remain paramount and there was a risk of damaging sensitive equipment.”

The ministry added, “The next window to execute this crucial operation would be based on the advice of the international experts who are retained to manage this part of the process.”

In the meantime, it said the vessel remains overturned off the coast of the Cove.

The ministry said before the refloat-and-tow phase, its technical staff, along with its international partner, T&T Salvage, were focused on work on the "de-inventory phase." This began on April 13.

It said the process was completed after approximately 32,303 barrels of hydrocarbon were successfully pumped from the barge.

The ministry said it is leading and managing the operations off the coast of the Cove. remains a credible source of information on the Gulfstream, and is continuing real-time and open dialogue with relevant agencies on its progress.

The ministry said the safety of all personnel remains paramount as weather associated with the wet/hurricane season persists.

In a WhatsApp response to Newsday questions on August 12, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the Gulfstream, which was found leaking oil on February 7, was to be taken to Trinidad.

At the time of its discovery, the barge was reportedly being towed by a tugboat, the Solo Creed. The oil spill contaminated Tobago's coastline, harming beaches and fishermen's livelihoods. The spill also reportedly reached as far as Grenada and Bonaire.

Efforts to track the owners of the two vessels have been unsuccessful.

The THA had requested $134 million to deal with the oil spill, but the Government, as of July, had only given $50 million.