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  • 11 months ago
President of the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association Curtis Douglas is advising fishermen, not to venture out to sea without adequate communication equipment on their boats.


This, as two fishermen survived four days at sea after their engine broke down and they had no means of calling for help.


Mr. Douglas spoke with TV6'S Elizabeth Williams.
Transcript
00:00Well, first of all, you know, it's a feeling that I really can't describe, but if I were
00:07to do something, I would dance in celebration, because one thing human beings haven't had
00:15the technology to replace us yet is life.
00:18And the fact that these men will return to their family alive, and they were breadwinners,
00:25I'm so elated, I'm so happy, I'm so joyful.
00:29I am so, I can't find the words to say how happy I am, and the community, how happy the
00:37communities are.
00:38Mr. Douglas did agree the necessary communication must be on board vessels when fishermen and
00:44women journey out to sea, even if it's only a cellular phone.
00:49In regards to phone and GPS, the key thing we need to have, right, which I would advise
00:59this, the chief secretary and the team, we need to have it, every fishing vessel must
01:08have what you call a tracking device.
01:11So in the event of anything, your wife, your brother, your friend could locate you.
01:19So if you go missing, we could go directly to that tracking device.
01:25And yes, it is very important, and it is pertinent that you have a mobile phone of
01:32some form of communication.
01:34Douglas said the watercraft project proposed to the previous THA administration by ACFA
01:40would have assisted in providing boats and tracking devices and mobile satellite phones.
01:47He now has these words of caution for fisherfolk.
01:51As the president of All Tobago Fisherfolk, even if you are going just right out in the
01:57harbour, please at least have a mobile phone because you could find yourself in difficulties
02:03as close as right out in the harbour.
02:07And remember, fishermen, sea do not have branches, and it is not kind sometimes, it does not
02:13give you a second chance.
02:14So let's be mindful when we go out to sea to stay productive and to also have that communication
02:21and don't fret to let people know where you're going because anything can happen at any given time.
02:27The missing fishermen Albert James and Junior Thorne were found alive Saturday morning by
02:32fellow fishermen in Tobago who journeyed out to sea to check their fishpots anchored off
02:39Kronk Point.
02:40They went adrift last Tuesday when their engine broke down after departing from Pigeon Point
02:46Beach.
02:47Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:51For more information visit www.fisheries.gov.uk
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