CAT sneaks up on Tobago

Tobagonians were pleasantly surprised yesterday afternoon when the new fast ferry, the Cat, arrived at the Scarborough harbour and took its place alongside the Sonia. Spectators lined the Port Authority compound and the street directly opposite when the sleek, long-anticipated fast ferry rushed into the harbour shortly before 2 pm. The trip was said to be a familiarisation run, where docking procedures and ramp adjustments were checked. The maiden voyage will be made on Sunday from Port-of-Spain around 8 am.

Vice President of Operations and Safety Management, Donald Cormier, gave a special tour of the vessel, noting that the trip was made in two and a half hours. He said that with load, the trip would take no more than three hours. Though not as large and flamboyant as the Sonia (but by no means shabby), the Cat can carry up to 250 light vehicles and approximately 800 passengers.

There are no cabins on board the vessel but there are comfortable reclining chairs, “that give you a plane ride feeling.” It is equipped with more than 25 video monitors for the viewing pleasure of travellers during the trip, two wide-screen and several satellite televisions which are to be registered with a local company shortly. Cormier promised that the trips would be “smooth sailing” as the vessel is specially built to reduce the “rocket effect.” The high-tech vessel is controlled by an inch-and-a-half steering wheel on the captain’s chair.