Safety important for ‘Sheriff Lobo’

Crew member and throttleman of ‘Sheriff Lobo’, Mohammed believes that “a life caries more value than a boat” and in preparation, participants must do all they can to ensure the safety of crew members before, during and after the race.

He stressed that his crew members are first priority and ensuring everyone reaches their destination safely is paramount.

“One can always buy back a boat but one cannot buy back a life,” he declared.

‘Sheriff Lobo’ will be the only single engine boat competing in this year’s 95 mile per hour category and although Mohammed is trying to make the case to get his crew into the 80 mile per hour category, he remains optimistic about his team’s chances of gaining a top spot at this year’s race which takes off on August 20 from the Foreshore in Port of Spain and finishes at the Esplanade in Scarborough. Being the only single engine boat means that their boat is much smaller than the competitors and this may put ‘Sheriff Lobo’ at a great disadvantage if conditions are not ideal.

Mohammed will be looking at the projected weather conditions for the race this week and believes that the rainfall can help calm the waters and contribute greatly to the crew’s success. Mohammed, who has been boat racing for at least 27 years, believes that his experience has helped a great deal in their preparations and especially in this year’s edition.

He started racing in 1988 and was also involved in drag racing, go kart racing but thoroughly enjoys the roar of the engine on the sea as the vessel rides the waves on the ocean.

He is a man that is confident in his four-member crew which also includes the experienced driver Brent Branker trusted with the responsibility of guiding the ‘Sheriff Lobo’ across the sometimes extremely challenging course to Tobago.

He describes his crew as hard-working and independent and believes that once they are well prepared they have nothing to fear.