TTs Nelson declared ‘unseaworthy’

THE Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s flagship, the TTS Nelson, has officially been out of service for one year. At 9.30 pm on October 19, 2003, the Nelson was damaged when the Vincentian inter-island ferry Windward II collided with it at the Port-of-Spain harbour. The Nelson was berthed at the time of the accident. An October 21, 2003 report from the National Security Ministry indicated the Nelson suffered “severe damage” to both its starboard and port sides, including a rupturing of the starboard fuel tank and the buckling of hull plates on both its port and starboard sides. The report stated that “TTS Nelson in its present state is unseaworthy and is deemed unserviceable” and the vessel’s loss could extend into some months. The Nelson’s primary duties involved the patrolling of TT’s Exclusive Economic Zone and providing a training platform for TT Coast Guards.

The Nelson has been berthed at the Port-of-Spain harbour and there has been no indication from National Security officials whether the vessel will be returned to active service. Prime Minister Patrick Manning indicated that while the former UNC regime made a bad choice in acquiring the 32-year-old frigate from the United Kingdom, Government would do its best to return the Nelson to service. At the time of the collision last year, the Nelson was due to be dry docked. The last time the ship had been dry docked was in 2001 in the UK, prior to its departure for TT. Former prime minister Basdeo Panday had described the Nelson as key to his government’s fight against the illegal drug trade. Government is currently in the process of acquiring two offshore patrol vessels to boost the strength of the Coast Guard. Each ship has the ability to carry a helicopter, two fast interceptors, a team of 150 soldiers and their operational equipment.