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The family connected to the pleasure vessel Bambaleo, involved in Sunday's tragic boating collision off Chaguaramas, has reportedly retained former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi for legal representation, according to information received by TG News. The reported development comes as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, which left five people missing and several others injured. However, the legal arrangement has not been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear which family members Al-Rawi may be representing. Bambaleo Captain Publicly Named Richard Yousef has been identified in published media reports as the captain of the 28-foot pleasure vessel Bambaleo, one of two boats involved in the collision near Staubles Bay on Sunday evening, 8 November 2026. The second vessel, the 29-foot Belbagai, was reportedly captained by Matik Ferreira. The collision occurred at approximately 6.30 p.m., causing passengers to be thrown into the water. The Belbagai reportedly sank following the impact. The incident has attracted considerable public attention, particularly following allegations that a 12-year-old boy may have been operating one of the vessels. Those allegations have not been officially confirmed, and investigators have not publicly established who was physically controlling either vessel at the moment of impact. Questions Over Adult Supervision The allegations involving a minor have prompted questions about the responsibilities of boat owners, designated captains and supervising adults. If investigators establish that a child was operating one of the vessels, questions may arise about who authorised the child to take control, whether appropriate adult supervision was provided and whether maritime safety requirements were followed. Being identified as a boat's captain does not automatically establish responsibility for causing a collision. Any determination of negligence or legal liability must be based on evidence gathered during the investigation. Reported Legal Representation Information received by TG News suggests that Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi may have been retained by members of the family connected to the Bambaleo. Al-Rawi previously served as Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago and has extensive experience in legal practice and public office. The reported involvement of legal counsel comes amid growing public interest in the circumstances surrounding the collision and the responsibilities of those aboard the vessels. However, retaining an attorney is a normal legal safeguard and does not imply that any individual has committed an offence. TG News has not independently established the precise scope of Al-Rawi's reported involvement. Search Continues for Missing Passengers According to the latest previously reported Coast Guard update, five people remained missing following the collision. The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, supported by police and volunteer search-and-rescue personnel, has been involved in efforts to locate those unaccounted for. Eyewitness accounts describe passengers being thrown into the sea following the impact, with nearby boat operators assisting in rescuing survivors. Several injured passengers were transported for medical treatment. For the families of those missing, the search remains the immediate priority. Investigation and Accountability The collision has renewed concerns about recreational boating safety, including the qualifications of operators, the supervision of minors and the responsibilities of vessel owners. Investigators must determine who was operating each vessel, whether appropriate safety measures were in place and what circumstances contributed to the collision. No official finding of fault has been announced, and the allegations involving a child remain unverified. As the investigation progresses, attention will remain on the findings of the relevant authorities and whether those findings identify any breaches of maritime safety requirements. For now, the families affected by the tragedy continue awaiting answers about what happened on the water that Sunday evening.
The family connected to the pleasure vessel Bambaleo, involved in Sunday's tragic boating collision off Chaguaramas, has reportedly retained former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi for legal representation, according to information received by TG News.
The reported development comes as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, which left five people missing and several others injured.
However, the legal arrangement has not been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear which family members Al-Rawi may be representing.
Bambaleo Captain Publicly Named
Richard Yousef has been identified in published media reports as the captain of the 28-foot pleasure vessel Bambaleo, one of two boats involved in the collision near Staubles Bay on Sunday evening, 8 November 2026.
The second vessel, the 29-foot Belbagai, was reportedly captained by Matik Ferreira.
The collision occurred at approximately 6.30 p.m., causing passengers to be thrown into the water. The Belbagai reportedly sank following the impact.
The incident has attracted considerable public attention, particularly following allegations that a 12-year-old boy may have been operating one of the vessels.
Those allegations have not been officially confirmed, and investigators have not publicly established who was physically controlling either vessel at the moment of impact.
Questions Over Adult Supervision
The allegations involving a minor have prompted questions about the responsibilities of boat owners, designated captains and supervising adults.
If investigators establish that a child was operating one of the vessels, questions may arise about who authorised the child to take control, whether appropriate adult supervision was provided and whether maritime safety requirements were followed.
Being identified as a boat's captain does not automatically establish responsibility for causing a collision.
Any determination of negligence or legal liability must be based on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Reported Legal Representation
Information received by TG News suggests that Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi may have been retained by members of the family connected to the Bambaleo.
Al-Rawi previously served as Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago and has extensive experience in legal practice and public office.
The reported involvement of legal counsel comes amid growing public interest in the circumstances surrounding the collision and the responsibilities of those aboard the vessels.
However, retaining an attorney is a normal legal safeguard and does not imply that any individual has committed an offence.
TG News has not independently established the precise scope of Al-Rawi's reported involvement.
Search Continues for Missing Passengers
According to the latest previously reported Coast Guard update, five people remained missing following the collision.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, supported by police and volunteer search-and-rescue personnel, has been involved in efforts to locate those unaccounted for.
Eyewitness accounts describe passengers being thrown into the sea following the impact, with nearby boat operators assisting in rescuing survivors.
Several injured passengers were transported for medical treatment.
For the families of those missing, the search remains the immediate priority.
Investigation and Accountability
The collision has renewed concerns about recreational boating safety, including the qualifications of operators, the supervision of minors and the responsibilities of vessel owners.
Investigators must determine who was operating each vessel, whether appropriate safety measures were in place and what circumstances contributed to the collision.
No official finding of fault has been announced, and the allegations involving a child remain unverified.
As the investigation progresses, attention will remain on the findings of the relevant authorities and whether those findings identify any breaches of maritime safety requirements.
For now, the families affected by the tragedy continue awaiting answers about what happened on the water that Sunday evening.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
