Cabo Star to be inspected in Panama; new seabridge arrangements made

The Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Co Ltd (TTIT) has made alternative arrangements during the absence of the MV Cabo Star, to assist with the cargo requirements on the seabridge between Trinidad and Tobago.

This became necessary after a "minor fire" reportedly broke out in the boat's auxiliary engine room on the morning of August 20.

On August 20, video footage of a fire on board the cargo vessel while it was docked at the Port of Port of Spain began circulating on Facebook. 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.

In a release after the fire, the company said the crew followed emergency procedures and within a short time the fire was extinguished. It added that given the nature of this incident, the vessel will be subject to thorough inspections by its classification society, which is based in Panama.

It gave an update on the sailings of its other ferries:

August 21: Buccoo Reef to sail from Port of Spain at 9am and depart Scarborough at 2pm; August 22 and 23: Galleons Passage will sail from Port of Spain at 9am and depart Scarborough at 4.30 pm.

The release said vehicles up to 7,000 kg will be accommodated on the two vessels. Priority will be given to food, pharmaceuticals and other perishables.

On August 20, TTIT officials including its CEO Vilma Lewis-Cockburn met with the Tobago Division of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce on the issue and to appraise them of the aforementioned plans. Lewis-Cockburn told Newsday the aforementioned was agreed upon and will be used in the meantime. Chamber representative Vice Chairman Demi John Cruickshank could not be reached for comment.