Trinidad Confirms That Two Vessels Heading to Guyana Were Involved in Oil Spill in Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) has confirmed that at least two vessels were involved in the oil spill incident that has caused an oil spill impacting the sister isle of Tobago.

In a statement, the Ministry of National Security said that even as investigations are continuing, video footage and other information, obtained by the TTCG, have confirmed that the two vessels are a tug boat and a barge.

It said  the TTCG is collaborating with other local and regional agencies, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Guyana Coast Guard (GCG), the Maritime Services Division, and IR Consilium, through consultant Dr Ian Ralby, to identify the vessels and their owners.

“Investigations have thus far revealed that the vessels appear to have been bound for Guyana. However, the Guyanese authorities have confirmed that neither vessel arrived as anticipated.

“At this stage, it is not known whether any lives have been lost in the incident,” the ministry said, adding that in recent days, a spill of black, oily deposits was identified in the waters spreading from the Scarborough area to Lowlands in Tobago, posing a serious threat to Tobago’s biodiversity.

It said that the spill appeared to be emanating from a wrecked barge, which was discovered lodged on a reef in the vicinity.

The TTCG said it is also examining video footage supplied by the GCG of the barge, as it appeared to be sinking and that it is using certain distinctive markings of the barge, to confirm its identity.

The TTCG said it has also confirmed that the barge was being towed by a tug, the Solo Creed, from Panama, destined for Guyana. Satellite imagery also shows the Solo Creed towing an object on February 4, this year.

The National Coastal Surveillance Radar Centre (NCSRC) said it was able to use this information, to track the tug in Trinidad and Tobago waters, towing an object. The NCSRC eventually lost radar contact with both vessels. The TTCG has also confirmed that neither the tug, nor the barge, have entered Guyana waters.

As part of the investigation, CARICOM IMPACS contacted the authorities in Panama and Aruba, for photographs of the tug boat and the barge.

The Ministry of National Security said that the Dutch authorities in Aruba, provided images of the tug towing the barge, and these images were used to confirm the identity of both vessels.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said he appreciated the support being provided by the regional agencies.

“We have been working very closely with the Guyana Coast Guard on this criticalmatter and we appreciate their full-scale support. Similarly, I am appreciative of CARICOM IMPACS and the work and support of our international partners in this matter.

“As Minister, I give the assurance that the TTCG will continue to work with other local and regional authorities in this investigation, and we look forward to a swift and successful resolution to all our benefit,” he added.

Last Sunday, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who led a ministerial delegation to Tobago that included his Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Stuart Young and Transport Minister, Rohan Sinanan, told a news conference that efforts would continue to determine the owners and name of the vessel at the center of the spill that began on Wednesday last week.

Meanwhile, the Division of Education, Research & Technology (DERTech) in Tobago has announced that while most schools in Tobago will reopen on Wednesday after Carnival, two will remain closed.

It said this is due to ongoing air quality concerns stemming from the last week’s spill incident.