Why not build our own ferry?

Many times our economic gurus have spoken of getting the country into the boat building business as a means to create high-value employment and produce a high-value export commodity.

So instead of going to the Chinese, British or New Zealanders to buy a vessel, we should hire the expertise from abroad and use local talent to build our own. This would be the first step in our strategic plan to become world players as shipbuilders.

The geographics, infrastructure, energy, talent and skilled labour are all already here. Hence, the investment to diversify and retool should be relatively small.

Once successful, TT can build boats for the local coast guard and then offer to our Caricom neighbours.

With an impeccable reputation of quality and on-schedule delivery we can start to compete on the international market within the next decade.

We built the giant and complex Juniper offshore platform. Why can’t we build our own fast ferry?

NICHOLAS J WILLIAMS Cascade