Paria Bullet makes trial run to Grenada

Once approved by NIDCO, IMG Entertainment Company Limited working with UnLimited Resources will be able to charter the vessel and “Flavour de Mas” in the spice isle next month.

These local private entities have teamed up with Grenadian mas band, SummerCrew and other companies to create a semi-inclusive package for persons interested in going to Grenada for Spice Mas which would include travel, access to some of the biggest events for the Carnival season, discounts on accommodation and costumes. Fifteen persons, including crew members, Water Taxi Service Project Manager Sharon Taylor and other NIDCO officials, IMG Managing Director Anton Alleyne, UnLimited Resources Manager and Strategic Planner Charlene Clarke and members of the media made the voyage of approximately 180km, leaving Port-of-Spain at about 6.25 am.

Movies were the entertainment of choice to pass the time away and after pushing past the choppy waters of the Bocas off the north coast of Trinidad, it was relatively smooth sailing to the old port in Grenada’s capital, St George.

The vessel entered Grenadian waters at about 10:15 but it took almost another half hour to dock.

Visitors were treated to a small slice of Grenada in the welcome area of the port which included samples of the Westerhall Rum Distillers brand and models wearing costumes from SummerCrew which will be on the road during Spice Mas next month.

Grenada’s recently appointed Tourism Minister Dr George Vincent, who was part of the welcoming party, said during the official proceedings for the morning that the trial run and the overall initiative put forward by IMG and UnLimited Resources was a small but important step towards Caribbean integration. He said talks have been going on for four to five years regarding a ferry service between Trinidad and Grenada but nothing has happened so far until this initiative.

A major setback for growth in the region, he said, is the need for closer bonds between Caribbean people. “It is important for us to see the viability of this arrangement,” he said after expressing pride about the deepening relationship between the two islands. He put forward the idea to Taylor of introducing monthly ferries between the islands targetting the Grenadian diaspora living in Trinidad.

“We Grenadians are deeply enmeshed in the Trinidadian society.

There are more people with Grenadian roots living in Trinidad than in Grenada,” Vincent said adding this market should be given the option of a ferry service to explore their roots.

Club Bananas Manager and SummerCrew bandleader, Robert Steele said the initiative of IMG and UnLimited Resources is just the beginning of something which has the potential to create a “One Carnival” concept where Carnivals throughout the region are shared by all Caribbean people regardless of their native island.

After a quick but relaxing visit to Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club where lunch from the grill was served, visitors returned much too soon to the port for the return leg of the trip.

Three hours later, the Paria Bullet docked at the Water Taxi Terminal, Port-of-Spain where the journey began.

IMG and UnLimited Resources still await NIDCO’s approval to charter the vessel for the Spice Mas package but Taylor said the trial run was “encouraging”.

Once approval is gained, UnLimited Resources’ “Flavour de Mas” brand will be seen in Grenada for this Spice Mas and possibly other ventures according to IMG’s Alleyne.

Ticketing and bookings for the proposed August 9 sailing to Grenada will take place through the Water Taxi Terminal Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, Naipaul’s Travel at the Port Authority Administration Building, Go 4 Less Travel Agency and Fabi Cosmetics both of which are located on Ariapita Avenue, Port-of-Spain.

IMG and UnLimited Resources thanked partners and stakeholders in both islands that contributed to the success of the Trial Run including Spronks’ Mega Yacht Services, The Grenada Board of Tourism, Grenada Tourism Ministry, Customs and Excise and Immigration in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, Mt Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club, Flamboyant Hotel and Villas, Grenada Grand Beach Resort, Grenadian by Rex Resorts, Westerhall Distillers and Club Bananas for ground transportation.