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  • 2 days ago
The MV Blue Wave Harmony remains under sea trials following mechanical issues that delayed its sailing from Port of Spain on Friday night.

Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John says the vessel is not yet fully commissioned and is still undergoing mandatory testing.

Elizabeth Williams reports.
Transcript
00:00I don't know, it's mechanical, it's mechanics, rampage, you know what I mean?
00:06I'm going to be a little sure.
00:07Okay, they flag it, they flag it, and they say, okay, fine, we'd have to most likely treat with this,
00:13if you understand what I'm saying.
00:14Right, and that's what you do, it's mechanics, it's this kind of thing.
00:19So basically, if something comes up, when you're doing your sea trials, you sort it out.
00:24Minister John says the vessel is undergoing mandatory sea trials led by maritime pilots to ensure all systems meet required
00:33specifications.
00:34She says full completion of the current trial phase is anticipated by March 1, once all assessments are successfully concluded.
00:44Sea trials, we have put it into the water commercially as yet it is on sea trials.
00:50What does that mean? It means it is tested, you know, the pilot and the marine pilot, the captain, you
00:58know, they will come together and decide, okay, we are doing this now or that.
01:02In a week's time, it will most likely go into full service.
01:05The minister also addresses concerns about the vessel not docking in Scarborough at night.
01:11She says night operations form part of the controlled testing process and are guided by maritime safety requirements.
01:19Night trials are scheduled to begin on February 25, with each voyage monitored and evaluated.
01:27That is because the pilot, the marine pilot that is on the boat and the, well, marine pilot, because he
01:34has a kind of equal responsibility.
01:36So he said, don't dock there at night, let us get the day finalized and then we'll do the night,
01:42right?
01:42They needed something called fenders on the port.
01:44Remember, there's a new vessel coming into the port.
01:47The port, some might fit and some you have to make adjustments.
01:50So they had said they needed to put something called fenders in.
01:53I was told this morning, the fenders are in.
01:55That has to be verified.
01:57So if that is in, well, it means, you know, it is no better for it to come in because
02:00the winds and the current you have in Tobago,
02:02you have to be very, make sure that you're safe.
02:05So that's why it comes in with the target.
02:06In a media release, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago says the vessel continues to operate
02:12under internationally recognized maritime safety standards.
02:16Additional measures including pilot-led navigation, tug assistance and enhanced fendering arrangements remain in place as part of the rollout.
02:26The authority says Friday's sailing has been rescheduled and the vessel is expected to arrive in Tobago on February 22nd,
02:35subject to port conditions and the movement of passenger ferries.
02:39Truckers and businesses with cargo booked on the affected sailing are advised to remain in contact with the Inter-Island
02:47Transportation Company.
02:49The Port Authority and the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited expresses apologies for the disruption
02:56and say further updates will be provided as operational milestones are achieved.
03:02Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
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