Toco boat operators are challenging the timing of a police crackdown on commercial pirogue trips to Tobago, while a representative of one advertised service says its journeys have been put on hold as operators work to meet the stated requirements.
The Trinidad Guardian reports that police issued a warning after noticing online advertisements offering charters from Toco to Tobago for the island’s Carnival weekend. Police said many vessels advertising the service were unlicensed and unequipped to carry passengers on the open sea.
One advertisement, from Ocean Vybz with Zariah, offered a day package including visits to Store Bay, Nylon Pool, Pigeon Point and No Man’s Land. The advertised price varied with passenger numbers, with groups of ten charged $250 per person.
Police said passenger vessels travelling between Trinidad and Tobago must comply with the Motor Launches Act and the Shipping (Local Passenger Ships) Safety Regulations. According to the police warning, breaches can attract penalties of up to $150,000 and ten years’ imprisonment.
The requirements outlined by police include a valid motor launch licence from the Harbour Master and appropriate licences or Certificates of Competency for captains and engineers. Passenger numbers must remain within the capacity determined by a marine surveyor.
Operators must also maintain passenger and crew manifests and logbooks, and submit passenger counts to the Maritime Services Division and Coast Guard before departure. Required equipment includes certified bilge pumps, anchors, fire extinguishers, approved lifebuoys and lifejackets.
Police warned that the channel between Toco and Tobago has strong swells and unpredictable currents. They also said overcrowding carries a $7,500 fine for each breach upon summary conviction, with possible licence suspensions and disqualification from operating vessels.
Chelsea-Ann Charles, representing Ocean Vybz with Zariah, questioned why the issue was being raised now. She told the Guardian that Toco operators had made the crossing for decades, including for Great Race and day visits, and described close connections between the two communities.
Charles said operators provide lifejackets, medical kits and flotation devices and use sober, experienced captains. Those assurances represent the operator’s account; police separately warned about the safety and licensing of vessels offering the service.
She said requests had increased as flights and ferry tickets became scarce during the Carnival period, with visitors from the United States and Canada also booking trips. Asked whether the journeys would proceed, she said the service had been paused while operators sought to meet the requirements.
Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John urged travellers to use authorised vessels. She said the Port Authority and Caribbean Airlines’ airbridge were operating at full capacity amid demand for travel to Tobago.