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Survivor alleges child operated vessel, Al Rawi rejects claim as families seek answers and police investigate deadly Chaguaramas collision. November 13, 2026 | Trinidad and Tobago Five people have reportedly been recovered following Sunday’s deadly boating collision off Chaguaramas, with Lorenzo Oliver, 34, reportedly remaining unaccounted for. But as families confront the tragedy, new eyewitness allegations, a lawyer’s categorical denial and questions surrounding the custody of one vessel have intensified calls for answers. Who was operating the boats when the collision occurred, and what does the evidence reveal? The November 8 collision occurred around 6:30 p.m. near Cannings Point, involving two pleasure craft, the Bambaleo and Belbagai. The impact left several passengers injured, caused the Belbagai to sink and triggered a major search involving the Coast Guard, police, Hunters Search and Rescue and volunteers. TG News reported on Friday that five of the six missing people had been recovered, although a complete official identification and recovery statement had not been independently verified. Boat in custody, but no confirmed arrest On Friday at approximately 12:10 p.m., Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge confirmed that the Bambaleo was being held at the Coast Guard facility at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas. His statement contradicted circulating reports suggesting that the vessel had disappeared. However, its presence in Coast Guard custody does not establish that anyone has been arrested or charged. There has been no verified announcement of criminal charges against either captain. The distinction is important. A vessel may be detained or secured for examination as part of an investigation without its occupants being found responsible for an offence. Eyewitness claims child was operating vessel Survivor Malik Rudder has made an allegation that directly raises questions about who was controlling one of the boats. Speaking to reporters at Chaquacabana Resort, Rudder said he recalled seeing someone who appeared to be a child operating the other vessel shortly before the collision. Rudder, who was aboard the Bambaleo, said he briefly lost consciousness following the impact and was subsequently rescued. He reported injuries to his neck and back and described the emotional distress caused by the accident. His account has not been independently confirmed by investigators. Nevertheless, the allegation has raised questions about whether the designated captain was physically operating the vessel at the moment of impact. Al-Rawi rejects allegations involving a minor Former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi, who confirmed that he represents several people connected to the Bambaleo, has categorically rejected allegations that a minor was operating a boat involved in the collision. Speaking at an Opposition media briefing on November 11, Al-Rawi stated: “There is absolutely no truth to the involvement of any minor conducting any boat.” He maintained that the allegations were false and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims, particularly those involving children. Al-Rawi also warned that publishing photographs or making accusations against minors could have legal consequences. However, an important distinction remains: Al-Rawi represents individuals connected to the Bambaleo, while Rudder’s allegation concerns the other vessel, the Belbagai. The attorney’s denial is part of the public record, but the competing accounts have not been resolved by an official investigative finding. Attorney says clients assisted victims and cooperated with police Al-Rawi also disclosed that his clients had already attended the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and provided statements. He said they were fully cooperating with investigators and continued to make themselves available when requested. According to the attorney, his clients rendered assistance at sea following the collision and joined families searching for missing passengers. He expressed sympathy for the affected families and acknowledged the considerable suffering caused by the tragedy. However, Al-Rawi declined to disclose details about the actual circumstances of the collision, citing his professional responsibilities as an attorney. He acknowledged that investigations of this nature could involve additional legal processes, including possible coroner’s inquests. His statements offer an account of his clients’ cooperation and their rejection of the allegations, but do not establish how the collision happened or who was physically steering either vessel. Where were the captains? Police reports have identified adult captains for both vessels. The Bambaleo, a 28-foot Bowen pleasure craft, was reportedly travelling east, while the 29-foot Belbagai was heading west. But identifying the designated captains is not the same as establishing who had physical control of the vessels at the critical moment. There has been no confirmed report that either designated captain is missing. Investigators must now determine whether both captains were at their controls, whether another person was permitted to operate either boat, and whether the vessels were travelling at safe speeds. The statements of survivors, passengers and captains will need to be assessed against any available video recordings and physical evidence from the damaged boats. Police commissioner says evidence will determine responsibility Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has assured the public that investigators are treating the collision seriously. He has called on witnesses and anyone with relevant video evidence to assist police. Guevarro explained that the evidence would ultimately determine whether the matter should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal liability. No such determination has been publicly confirmed. The investigation must establish the circumstances of the collision before responsibility can be assigned. Families deserve answers, not competing narratives Five days after the tragedy, grieving families are confronting the loss of loved ones while the public continues to question what happened. The Bambaleo is in Coast Guard custody. Survivors have given accounts of the collision. An attorney has rejected allegations involving a minor and confirmed his clients’ cooperation. Yet several questions remain unanswered. Who was physically operating each vessel? Were both operators properly licensed? What do the collision damage and eyewitness statements establish? Has every relevant passenger been interviewed? Have investigators secured all available recordings and navigation evidence? Most importantly, when will the authorities provide a comprehensive account of what occurred? There is a difference between defending a client’s position and independently establishing the facts. Both the survivor’s allegations and the attorney’s denial must be tested against evidence. A boat in custody is not a conviction. An eyewitness allegation is not a finding of guilt. And an attorney’s denial is not the conclusion of a police investigation. For the families, the priority remains recovering their loved ones, establishing the truth and ensuring that any responsibility is determined through a fair and thorough investigation. The question is no longer simply where the boats are. It is who was at the helm, what happened in those final seconds, and whether the evidence will deliver answers.
Survivor alleges child operated vessel, Al Rawi rejects claim as families seek answers and police investigate deadly Chaguaramas collision.
November 13, 2026 | Trinidad and Tobago
Five people have reportedly been recovered following Sunday’s deadly boating collision off Chaguaramas, with Lorenzo Oliver, 34, reportedly remaining unaccounted for. But as families confront the tragedy, new eyewitness allegations, a lawyer’s categorical denial and questions surrounding the custody of one vessel have intensified calls for answers.
Who was operating the boats when the collision occurred, and what does the evidence reveal?
The November 8 collision occurred around 6:30 p.m. near Cannings Point, involving two pleasure craft, the Bambaleo and Belbagai.
The impact left several passengers injured, caused the Belbagai to sink and triggered a major search involving the Coast Guard, police, Hunters Search and Rescue and volunteers.
TG News reported on Friday that five of the six missing people had been recovered, although a complete official identification and recovery statement had not been independently verified.
Boat in custody, but no confirmed arrest
On Friday at approximately 12:10 p.m., Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge confirmed that the Bambaleo was being held at the Coast Guard facility at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas.
His statement contradicted circulating reports suggesting that the vessel had disappeared.
However, its presence in Coast Guard custody does not establish that anyone has been arrested or charged.
There has been no verified announcement of criminal charges against either captain.
The distinction is important. A vessel may be detained or secured for examination as part of an investigation without its occupants being found responsible for an offence.
Eyewitness claims child was operating vessel
Survivor Malik Rudder has made an allegation that directly raises questions about who was controlling one of the boats.
Speaking to reporters at Chaquacabana Resort, Rudder said he recalled seeing someone who appeared to be a child operating the other vessel shortly before the collision.
Rudder, who was aboard the Bambaleo, said he briefly lost consciousness following the impact and was subsequently rescued.
He reported injuries to his neck and back and described the emotional distress caused by the accident.
His account has not been independently confirmed by investigators.
Nevertheless, the allegation has raised questions about whether the designated captain was physically operating the vessel at the moment of impact.
Al-Rawi rejects allegations involving a minor
Former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Faris Al-Rawi, who confirmed that he represents several people connected to the Bambaleo, has categorically rejected allegations that a minor was operating a boat involved in the collision.
Speaking at an Opposition media briefing on November 11, Al-Rawi stated:
“There is absolutely no truth to the involvement of any minor conducting any boat.”
He maintained that the allegations were false and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims, particularly those involving children.
Al-Rawi also warned that publishing photographs or making accusations against minors could have legal consequences.
However, an important distinction remains: Al-Rawi represents individuals connected to the Bambaleo, while Rudder’s allegation concerns the other vessel, the Belbagai.
The attorney’s denial is part of the public record, but the competing accounts have not been resolved by an official investigative finding.
Attorney says clients assisted victims and cooperated with police
Al-Rawi also disclosed that his clients had already attended the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and provided statements.
He said they were fully cooperating with investigators and continued to make themselves available when requested.
According to the attorney, his clients rendered assistance at sea following the collision and joined families searching for missing passengers.
He expressed sympathy for the affected families and acknowledged the considerable suffering caused by the tragedy.
However, Al-Rawi declined to disclose details about the actual circumstances of the collision, citing his professional responsibilities as an attorney.
He acknowledged that investigations of this nature could involve additional legal processes, including possible coroner’s inquests.
His statements offer an account of his clients’ cooperation and their rejection of the allegations, but do not establish how the collision happened or who was physically steering either vessel.
Where were the captains?
Police reports have identified adult captains for both vessels.
The Bambaleo, a 28-foot Bowen pleasure craft, was reportedly travelling east, while the 29-foot Belbagai was heading west.
But identifying the designated captains is not the same as establishing who had physical control of the vessels at the critical moment.
There has been no confirmed report that either designated captain is missing.
Investigators must now determine whether both captains were at their controls, whether another person was permitted to operate either boat, and whether the vessels were travelling at safe speeds.
The statements of survivors, passengers and captains will need to be assessed against any available video recordings and physical evidence from the damaged boats.
Police commissioner says evidence will determine responsibility
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has assured the public that investigators are treating the collision seriously.
He has called on witnesses and anyone with relevant video evidence to assist police.
Guevarro explained that the evidence would ultimately determine whether the matter should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal liability.
No such determination has been publicly confirmed.
The investigation must establish the circumstances of the collision before responsibility can be assigned.
Families deserve answers, not competing narratives
Five days after the tragedy, grieving families are confronting the loss of loved ones while the public continues to question what happened.
The Bambaleo is in Coast Guard custody. Survivors have given accounts of the collision. An attorney has rejected allegations involving a minor and confirmed his clients’ cooperation.
Yet several questions remain unanswered.
Who was physically operating each vessel? Were both operators properly licensed? What do the collision damage and eyewitness statements establish? Has every relevant passenger been interviewed? Have investigators secured all available recordings and navigation evidence?
Most importantly, when will the authorities provide a comprehensive account of what occurred?
There is a difference between defending a client’s position and independently establishing the facts. Both the survivor’s allegations and the attorney’s denial must be tested against evidence.
A boat in custody is not a conviction. An eyewitness allegation is not a finding of guilt. And an attorney’s denial is not the conclusion of a police investigation.
For the families, the priority remains recovering their loved ones, establishing the truth and ensuring that any responsibility is determined through a fair and thorough investigation.
The question is no longer simply where the boats are. It is who was at the helm, what happened in those final seconds, and whether the evidence will deliver answers.
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.
