No to new fast ferries

This, of course, was a far cry from the two and a half hours which both the T&T Spirit and her sister fast ferry, the T&T Express, were wont to complete this journey.

Of course, the time taken signalled the extent to which the service has deteriorated.

Indeed, the unsatisfactory nature of the service has now reached a point that new Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles has signalled an intention to invite tenders for two new fast ferries, his stated assumption being that the two catamaran-type vessels have come to the end of their useful life.

However, although not being trained in any aspect of engineering, I fail to accept the conclusion of the Chief Secretary and his advisers, as the physical appearance of both vessels does not support the contention of such a deterioration as to warrant their being sent to the “breaker’s yard”, unless this deterioration applies to their keels and the like. My contention is that the overall deterioration of the service lies more in: * A continuing failure in maintaining properly the Rolls-Royce engines with which the vessels are fitted, notwithstanding their having “passed” their annual statutory overhaul.

* Faulty procedures at the level of the board and administrative management of the Inter- Island Ferry Transportation Company Ltd.

Needless to say, the first item above fits snugly into the known and, unfortunately accepted, culture of this country of not maintaining its buildings and infrastructure, such as, for example, is evident by the still lingering disgrace into which the Magnificent Seven, the Red House, police stations and roads and bridges have fallen and a general abject disregard for the environment.

Purchasing new ferries will not, in itself, solve the problem of the inter-island ferry service as the fate of any new vessels will almost eventually be the same as that which is being experienced with the T&T Express and the T&T Spirit, unless there is a definite change in engineering upkeep and maintenance patterns.

Given the scenario herein set out, the Minister of Finance should reject any request from the THA for purchasing new ferries at this point in time.

Indeed, his only new commitment should perhaps be confined to fitting new engines to the two existing ferries, and this only if required.

At the same time, action should be taken aimed at ensuring that properly trained and committed engineering maintenance staff is in place.

Furthermore, it is clear that the cargo transport facility needs to be rationalised as one understands that the two leased vessels on this service are both now travelling with less than half-loads at best.

Certainly, the solution here could lie in having the cargo service being provided by two relatively smaller but faster cargo ferries which could make the run in four hours, say, and thus serving as back-ups for the normal passenger fast ferry service.

One recalls that when the T&T Express first made its appearance there was so much satisfaction that a decision was taken to purchase a new vessel in the T&T Spirit with specifications which, it was then felt, would have met the dictates of local culture and economy.

Perhaps there is now need for a review of sailing schedules, fare structures, the load and passenger composition etc of the individual vessels in order to correct the now normal characteristic of passenger seats being woefully empty except during periods of holiday travel.

One hears that this phenomenon is related to preference being given to bookings being made via the Internet.

Errol OC Cupid, Trincity Tacarigu