00:00There are no licensed party boats that we know of that are supposed to be operating in Tobago, and therefore those are illegal and can be stopped at any time.
00:18The boats, all the boats that are licensed for operation in Tobago, the reef boats, are for a particular purpose.
00:30This comes on the heels of Environment Secretary Natisha Charles-Panton confirming to TV6 News the Rush Hour glass-bottom party boat was operating in Tobago without a license, without insurance and a few life jackets.
00:45The vessel sank over the weekend in Tobago with passengers on board, who were later rescued.
00:51Chairman of the Buku Reef Marine Park Committee, Alan Stewart, said law and order must be maintained.
00:58People's lives are at risk, and therefore we have to adhere to law and order.
01:06And under my stewardship, these are the major areas that the committee will be looking at to bring this thing under control.
01:17The lawlessness has to stop.
01:20Mr. Stewart said rules and regulations to the park must be adhered to, as there must be compliance.
01:28No, the objective is not to shut them down.
01:30The objective is to work with them and bring them under compliance.
01:34If there is a situation where we recognize that they are breaking the law, then the law will take its course if they are in violation of the law.
01:46This is the second such incident in October.
01:48According to a police report, at around 4 p.m. last Saturday, Rush Hour glass-bottom boat departed Pigeon Point with approximately 65 persons
02:00and proceeded on a reef tour when it was reported that around 6.15 p.m. whilst at Nyland Pool,
02:08the said boat experienced difficulties due to persons coming on board from other reef boats caused it to become overloaded.
02:16As a result, the rear of the vessel sank, causing the boat to ground off.
02:21Approximately 38 persons were conveyed to Gibson jetty by Pirog operators,
02:26and approximately 8 persons were conveyed to the Pigeon Point jetty.
02:30Corporal Lewis and the WPC Caesar of the Clung Point Police Station responded.
02:35All persons were brought to shore safely, with no injuries reported.
02:40Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:46One of the President's
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