Point Radix on alert

Office of Disaster Prepared-ness and Management (ODPM) CEO Paul Saunders yesterday confirmed the authorities had issued safety warnings for ships and other vessels to exercise caution off the Point Radix coastline. However, Saunders advised that it was too early to say what was the nature of the activity out at sea.

The suspected volcanic activity was discovered some five miles off Point Radix on Monday by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio League (TTARL) which immediately notified the ODPM and the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Unit.

TTARL chairman Julien Dedier, who led an exploratory expedition to the area, said the team was only able to get within 500 feet of the activity despite having rented a pirogue possessing a 55-horse power engine.

“We were unable to get closer to the activity because of the strong currents associated with the system which started to swirl the boat as we got closer,” he said, adding that at one time, the activity appeared to be pulling the boat toward it. Yesterday, Point Radix residents expressed fear about the phenomenon which could be seen by binoculars as a white foamy circular line in an ocean of blue.

Fisherman Isaac Sendall, 50, said the activity had been evident for some time but appeared to intensify over the past few days forcing fishermen to stop going out at sea. “I just pray that what happen in Montserrat don’t happen here. We just have to pray,” he said, referring to the Kick-em-Jenny underwater volcano.

Villager Nadira Ali-Bocas, however, doubted the activity was a volcano and suggested it may be a strong ocean current.

“If it were a volcano, it wouldn’t have a long trail behind,” she said, adding that the Institute of Marine Affairs visited the area on Monday and issued the small craft warning.

Another villager, known as “Sweet Eddy” stated the activity was not a volcano but an “oil vein.”

Newsday learnt that the officials from the Seismic Unit and Special Anti-Crime Unit also visited Point Radix but had recommended further investigations.

Head of the Seismic unit, Richard Robertson noted the activity could not be termed as being volcanic and could not be compared to the Montserrat volcano.

Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith yesterday said he was unaware of the reports of the underwater phenomenon, while bpTT representatives said its installations were not affected by the activity.