Trawler damaged in hit and run

DRAMA on the high seas yesterday when a Trinidadian fishing trawler was struck by a Venezuelan vessel, two miles off the coast of Icacos, South Trinidad.

The owner of the TT vessel Captain Antonio, Ousman Khan, told Newsday that he will be seeking compensation for his trawler and is going to seek assistance from the Venezuelan Embassy.

“I am losing money for the boat while it sits here,” Khan said.

The Captain Antonio is docked at the Ministry of Land, and Marine Resources, Fisheries Division compound at Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain.

Khan who is also the owner of Hannah Fishing Enterprises Limited said that he did not understand why his trawler was rammed by the Venezuelan vessel.

The Captain Antonio is 75 feet long and is used to trawl for shrimp and small fishes.

Captain Timothy Sergeant said at about 11:45 am, the crew had set their fishing nets to trawl for fish when the Captain Antonio was jolted and half lifted out of the water.

“I was surprised when it happened, we were catching fish and the boat was struck head on,” Sergeant said.

Sergeant said that the Venezuelans did not communicate with the crew of the Captain Antonio. “They just struck the boat at full speed and moved to leave,” Sergeant explained. He said that the TT Antonio was hooked by lines of the Venezuelan vessel.

Sergeant explained that because the Captain Antonio was hooked by the Venezuelan vessel, half of the trawler was tipped sideways into the Columbus Channel.

“The boat was then dragged,” Sergeant said.

The boat sustained damage to the port side, bow, the cabin, and the trawling lines.

The Captain Antonio was later rescued by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard which escorted the boat to Port-of-Spain. Secretary of Fisherman and Friends of the Sea, Gary Aboud said trans-national security is necessary.

“There is smuggling and there are counterparts operating with maritime neighbours,” Aboud said.

Aboud explained that the Government needs to monitor illegal activities in the coastal waters.

“Women, money, drugs, of all natures, alcohol and cocaine, exist in our communities and we have never seen the benefits of radars which have been put in place,” he said. “This is maritime infringement, we are unprotected. There is no maritime security,” Aboud ended.