The Minority Leader of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Watson Duke, Monday began his 25-mile swim to protest the “many problems” on the air and sea bridge between Trinidad and Tobago.
Duke is undertaking the swim despite a warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) that such a swim is “inherently dangerous” due to the natural currents between the two islands.
The TTCG said that it provides a tireless service to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and that due to these circumstances and other operational commitments, it cannot provide any “dedicated resources or give any assurances for a voluntary expedition of this nature at this time”.
The Coast Guard reiterated that there is a prevalent risk of swimming in such treacherous waters, adding that the warning is in keeping with one of its mandates to provide guidance to the public of the dangers of the sea whether for sailing or while bathing.
But Duke, told reporters prior to starting off on the journey, that the exercise is in protest against the ongoing inter-island ferry service woes faced by Tobagonians, as well as the fiasco surrounding the procurement of cargo vessel Ocean Flower II.
The Trinidad and Tobago government earlier this month said it had appointed businessman Christian Mouttet to be the sole investigator into the circumstances surrounding the procurement of two vessels to service the sea bridge between the two islands.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that Mouttet had up to 30 days to submit a report and that he would “be provided with support from the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs”.
The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago said it had cancelled the agreement with the owners of the Ocean Flower 2 after the ferry failed to arrive here in keeping with the date originally agreed to begin servicing the bridge.
The other vessel, Cabo Star, is providing both passenger and cargo service between the islands.
The procurement of the vessels has become a major issue here with the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) and some sections of the private sector calling for an investigation into the matter.
“I’m excited to stand for Tobago. It’s an honour,” Duke said, adding that he considered himself to be physically fit and does not suffer from any ailment as he attempts to complete the course that usually takes a ferry four hours to complete.
“We are not sure exactly where we will reach in so far as Toco, Sans Souci, Port-of-Spain. Wherever we reach, whether it be North Coast, by whatever means is necessary, we will take it by that means, but we will commence by swimming,” he said
Duke is being accompanied by members of his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and he told reporters “we have life vests, Coast Guard, fishermen around us, rescue team, doctors, nurses, but we are doing it for Tobago.
“We were elected to represent Tobago and we intend to live out our days as representatives to represent Tobago and represent the core beliefs of Tobago,” he said.
