Postby *$kїđž!™ » March 2nd, 2015, 12:14 am
Ten missing on boat trip to Tobago
By Elizabeth Williams
Story Created: Mar 1, 2015 at 11:05 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 1, 2015 at 11:05 PM ECT
Ten people from Port of Spain and South Trinidad are missing after going out to sea in a pirogue on Friday afternoon, heading from San Fernando to Tobago.
Relatives, who were awaiting their arrival in Tobago, told the Express that the Coast Guard has been contacted on the matter.
But Lieutenant Commander Kirk Jean-Baptiste said Coast Guard officials have been receiving conflicting information on the matter from family members of the missing people.
Jean-Baptiste said they were told a pirogue with eight people left San Fernando at around 4.30 p.m. on Friday, but got into difficulty at Maracas Bay.
The problem on board was resolved and they resumed the journey, but as the crew got closer to Tobago, the boat ran out of gas.
Fishermen in Tobago, who got word on the matter, left Pigeon Point to assist, but could not locate the pirogue.
Jean-Baptiste said it was only on Saturday, around 12:30 p.m., that the Coast Guard was informed of the incident.
The pirogue’s registration is TFV941 and the vessel is named Daviann.
The Coast Guard said the boat is owned by Headley Scott, who is among those aboard, while the only other passenger named was James Cook.
The passengers are made up of eight men and two women.
Since the report was made on Saturday, when it was also received at Marabella Police Station, the Coast Guard has conducted searches in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, which has carried out aerial searches.
Jean-Baptiste said the Venezuelan authorities will be notified today to be on the look-out for the pirogue and its occupants.
“When venturing to sea, persons should state exactly where they are going, what time they are due to arrive, and if there will be any stops made. Life jackets, flares, torchlights and extra water makes search and rescue efforts a lot easier,” Jean- Baptiste said.
He said the Coast Guard should be contacted immediately when something goes wrong.
Relatives in Tobago confirmed ten people were on the pirogue, but all forms of communication were lost around 3 a.m. on Saturday.