Garcia: Sonia safe to sail

PORT AUTHORITY of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) chairman  Noel Garcia confirmed yesterday that the inter-island ferry MV Sonia had 14 defects but said those defects have all been corrected and the vessel is “safe to sail” on the Tobago sea bridge. Speaking with reporters in Scarborough, following the maiden voyage of the fast ferry The Cat to Tobago, Garcia stated: “When we did a survey prior to the Sonia’s sailing (from Italy to TT), an audit was done which revealed 14 defects. Clearly, for Lloyd’s of London to allow it to sail, those defects would have had to be taken care of.”

The PATT chairman said while boats do get defects from time to time, “we will not sail that boat (Sonia) with any defects.” “I can say categorically that all of those defects have been taken care of and the boat is now safe to sail,” he declared. Garcia said the Sonia’s captain and Lloyd’s of London supported his views on this matter. He dismissed repeated UNC allegations about the Sonia as “foolishness again” and said there were certain people who seemed determined to ensure that the vessel does not achieve the purpose it was designed for.  Asked his impressions about The Cat’s maiden voyage, Garcia said while the ship left Port-of-Spain late, it was able to make the inter-island run in two hours and 15 minutes. Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan had indicated that The Cat would be able to travel between the two islands in two and a half hours.

While The Cat’s first trip exceeded his expectations, Garcia said “the jury is still out” about the fast ferry’s overall performance.  “I am one of the doubting Thomases,” he added.  The PATT chairman said there was little difference between The Cat and the Sonia as far as the passage between Trinidad and Tobago goes. While there were some complaints about the trip, the majority of the passengers expressed satisfaction with The Cat and said they would be willing to travel on it again.

Among those on The Cat’s maiden voyage were Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly, Chaguanas Mayor Dr Suruj Rambachan and Professor Ken Julien. Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London and Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley were on hand at the Scarborough port when The Cat arrived and greeted some of the passengers as they came ashore.