Lynx makes Tobago trip in record 2 hours

THE LYNX, the latest vessel hired by Government to ferry the Trinidad/Tobago sea bridge, made its maiden trip from Trinidad to the sister isle Tuesday afternoon  in record time of two hours. The vessel went to Tobago on Monday on a trial run, taking along 60 vehicles, and it brought back passengers from Tobago. One man showing much interest in the Lynx is Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union (SWWTU) president Michael Annisette. He spent all day on the ship last Saturday updating himself on its potential. Asked why he had such interest, he said: “As a trade unionist, I feel we have to get involved in things that affect Trinidad and Tobago.”

He explained that the issue of the sea link and the sea bridge between Trinidad and Tobago was critical to him as the SWWTU president, and as a national of Trinidad and Tobago. “We have to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago gets value for the money we spend on any vessel that comes here. “Additionally, my union also represents workers in the maritime industry. It is my responsibility to see that we have the required amount of local content on those vessels, that the vessels are suitable for the Trinidad/Tobago run, that whatever company is here with any new technology, to ensure that the technology and skills are transferred to the nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, so that we will be able to have added value service.

We have to ensure that the service to Tobago is professional, reliable and that it is a service that has quality,” said Annisette. About the Lynx itself, Annisette said it was another version of The Cat. “In terms of the aesthetics and the interior, The Cat vessel was much more modern and it must be remembered that the Lynx was built more than ten years ago.” Annisette said he was assured by the captain and the engineers that in terms of reliability and safety, “We will get the same service that we got from The Cat.”