Third blimp expected by weekend

THE THIRD blimp purchased by Government at a cost of $15 million is expected to arrive by this weekend. The blimp will be taken to the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) facility in Cumuto where it is expected to be outfitted with surveillance equipment from the first blimp — the Aeros 40B skyship.

The Aeros 40B and a 12-year-old foreign-used blimp — both leased by Government at a cost of US $100,000 a month, are expected to be sent back to the United States shortly.

The lease for the second blimp, ended in March. The Aeros 40B airship has been down since November last year.

Government paid $12 million for the Aeros and an additional $15 million for surveillance equipment for it.

SAUTT officials have not been able to say how effective these blimps have been in the fight against crime.

Newsday learnt Government struck a deal with Skyship Management — the company which they leased the second blimp from — to purchase a third blimp for $15 million.

Worldwide Aeros delivered the white oval-shaped blimp and had personnel in Trinidad between May to November 2005, to assemble the airship and train SAUTT personnel to fly, operate and maintain the equipment.

Fred Edworthy of Worldwide Aeros said recently that Aeros personnel were not involved with the installation of any equipment other than what was purchased with the airship, and has expressed no opinion as to whether or not any additional equipment would adversely affect the airship.