British ship blocks Galicia

In a press release, the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Company Ltd apologised for what it called an “inconvenience”, saying the failure of the cargo vessel to dock was due to communication issues.

“TTIT advises that due to some communication issues with all parties involved in the operations on said day, the Superfast Galicia was unable to occupy its normal berth at the Port of Scarborough as scheduled. This resulted in the vessel’s return to Trinidad, causing major upset with our customers who expected to offload their cargoes destined for Tobago,” the release said.

TTIT assured customers using the Superfast Galicia that all arrangements were in place to ensure the schedule was maintained and all operations would be effected for the timely berthing/unberthing of all vessels at the respective ports.

Newsday Tobago learnt that the Superfast Galicia couldn’t dock at the Scarborough Port on Tuesday evening because the visiting British naval vessel, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight, was berthed in the channel where the cargo vessel must turn before docking.

The situation was rectified by Wednesday evening as the warship left the port at 5 pm, and the cargo vessel docked at its usual 8pm time.

Hadad, in calling for a probe into why the Superfast Galicia was forced to return to Trinidad with cargo, said Port officials appear to be working in isolation and that the persons responsible for travel and planning at the port were not carrying out their duties in an effective.

She said port officials admitted information could have better coordinated.