Hikers association to meet with other groups

On April 22, the group of hikers boarded a boat to be taken to the island to an event organised by Adventure Seekers. However, the boat experienced engine trouble and passengers were left stranded.

A report stated the boat was overcrowded.

The report quoted the event’s organisers as saying two vessels had been chartered, Island Prince and Island Princess, for 90 hikers but the hikers boarded only one vessel as the other was unavailable.

The hikers were rescued by the Coast Guard after being stranded for three hours.

In a release issued to the media, the association said, “The Hiking Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HATT) notes with great concern, the views expressed via various media, following the incident on Saturday April 22, involving hikers who undertook to be a part of an event to Chacachacare, organised by Adventure Seekers of Trinidad and Tobago and involving the vessels, Island Prince and Island Princess. In this regard our aim is not to assign blame or guilt to any party but to draw attention to some important safety points...” The association advised, “Weather reports in regard to sea conditions should always be closely monitored by event organisers in the days prior to such events and on the day itself.” It added that in light of bad weather, events should be cancelled.

Boat captains, it said, had final say in whether an event should be undertaken. “Boat captains and event organisers need to avoid the loading of boats beyond their designated passenger capacity,” it said. Event organisers, it added, should stay close to participants and organisers had a responsibility to ensure their participants were suitably outfitted with life jackets. Organisers of such events should be certified in first aid and have first aid kits readily available.

The association said it “will be seeking in the coming months, to amalgamate all willing hiking interests in Trinidad and Tobago, with the ultimate aim of establishing productive working relationships between groups, so as to ensure above all, the safety of all who enjoy the outdoors.”