Minister awaits report on Tobago ferries

Works and Transport Minister, Rohan Sinanan, informed Newsday of this yesterday when contacted about the Canadian company’s denial that it was paid US $7 million annually during its 11-year management contract with PATT.

According to BFML, it “was paid a management fee of US $954,475 annually”.

“The port board (PATT) is doing a full report for us on this specific issue.. When I get that full report, then I’ll be able to comment further.

It should be sent to me sometime during this week...maybe Thursday or Friday,” Sinanan said.

BFML, in its statement, said that prior to the September 30, 2016 end of its contract, “PATT was well area of the need for significant scheduled maintenance projects on both vessels after September 30, 2016, which formed part of the long-term maintenance plans for the vessels.” BFML also said it “supported whatever transition was going to take place” in a number of ways, including delivering all BFML-controlled and approved safety management documentation was delivered to PATT and leaving all vessel technical plans, manuals and other documentation onboard the vessels.

“Historical vessel maintenance data remained fully accessible in onboard databases once PATT arranged for its own software licence and applicable training; which subsequently occurred (and) PATT was in possession of very detailed technical reports of all significant work undertaken on the vessels over the years. We are deeply saddened to see how events are transpiring,” BFML stated.

While the company did not make direct reference to a specific person or comment, last Friday Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley held a press conference at Parliament during which he said the data on the maintenance of the TT Express and TT Spirit had been removed and that both vessels had been negatively affected by “human interference.” BFML made it clear that it neither wished nor intended “to participate in the current political and other discussions surrounding this ferry service; we only wish to clarify certain of the facts.” While Sinanan declined to comment on the other aspects of BFML’s statement, he refuted there being any political aspect to the inter- island ferry woes.

“I don’t know that this is a political situation. I don’t want to comment on what Bay Ferries would have said. Bay Ferries would have been way before my time and it’s a matter that we are looking into,” Sinanan told Newsday.

Sinanan also noted that attorneys for the Government and the port authority are looking at the issue surrounding the charter agreement with the owners of the MV Super Fast Galicia cargo vessel.