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00:00This program contains some material that is unsuitable for young children.
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03:08Beyond the Tape
03:08So a very special good evening Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world.
03:11I'm Marlon Hopkins and as always, welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:14Yes, your son is back, you know, just for a few days, alright?
03:18So Whitney and her other guests and other co-hosts, they return next week.
03:24Just incidentally, before I forget, because you know how sometimes the program picks up a little steam and sometimes we
03:31could forget, alright?
03:32So a very special Emancipation Day to all of you.
03:39Have a good day tomorrow.
03:41Spend some time with the family and be safe, alright?
03:44So here's what we're doing today on the program, everybody.
03:47We are talking about maritime issues, alright?
03:51So we do have on the program today ASP Ronnie Rampellard from the Coastal and Air Support Unit, assisted by
03:58Police Constable Kenton Francis.
04:00Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming this evening, we do appreciate it.
04:04Yes?
04:04Yes, good afternoon Marlon.
04:05Good afternoon to the viewing and listening public.
04:08It is indeed a pleasure to be here, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago.
04:11We bring greetings on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the entire executive, and all of the men and women
04:16who represent our magnificent agency.
04:19Marlon, this evening, we want to engage in some talks.
04:22And the talk that we want to engage in this evening is not a topic just about boat and sea.
04:28When we hear the term maritime, you know, we might coin that with.
04:32But we want to talk about life.
04:34We want to talk about responsibility.
04:36And we want to talk about decisions that we make even before we actually leave the show.
04:41Within recent times, we have heard about some tragedies that took place in nearby territories.
04:47Things of serious concern, things that could happen even within our jurisdiction.
04:51And we thought it fit, even as we empathize about the current situation, that we should bring some light to
05:00the conversation.
05:01And take the responsible approach, we being marinas as well, along the coastline, along the rivers, along the tributaries.
05:10And to bring some advice to the general, being public.
05:14One thing that we could always recognize is when we look at Trinidad and Tobago, we have beautiful waters, beautiful
05:21sights, beaches, rivers.
05:24Any single corner that you could think about, there is something aspiring and magnificent about that.
05:31The thing about it is, Marlon, water could be very beautiful, but it could be very unforgiving at times.
05:38And again, as we have seen in recent activities.
05:45What we want to do this evening is not just talk about actual water and actual incidents,
05:52but recognize that with every headline that comes whenever a tragedy takes place, there is a family that is affected.
05:59A family is grieving. There is a community that is trusting to mourning.
06:04Lives are forever changed when these things happen.
06:07Today, Marlon, we don't want to play the blame game and hear and chastise anybody.
06:11But the purpose that we are here this evening is to educate marinas as well as passengers on how to
06:19prepare themselves.
06:20Because preparation is not optional when it comes to the marine environment.
06:25Preparation is a life-saving tool.
06:27And joining me, I have my expert on my team, Mr. Kenton Francis.
06:32He is an experienced mariner.
06:34He is an experienced coxswain within the unit.
06:37And he brings to the forefront a lot of years of training and experience.
06:41And apart from the police service, he is also an experienced cadet officer.
06:45And he manages a particular department surrounding naval cadet activities.
06:52So he is a wealth of experience.
06:54And the lessons learned and the actions that we could take as we continue this evening,
07:01we could only lead to saving lives.
07:04And that is our end goal here this afternoon.
07:06And one of the first areas that we want to start off with is see survival skills, Marlon.
07:11Yes.
07:13Saturday morning, nice sunny weather.
07:16And we realize, hey, it's a good day to go to the beach.
07:21And even before we cross that first leg, Marlon, we want to advise the public.
07:29We are just approaching the month of August.
07:31Yes.
07:32And the weather patterns are changing.
07:35And we would have experienced it this week in particular where during the day we had some extreme daytime heating
07:42taking place.
07:42And all that little moisture that exists here and there turns into rain.
07:48You know, spontaneous showers.
07:50So one of the things that we want to advise persons, apart from being all excited and going outside there,
07:55as I said when I opened, we want to start about personal responsibility.
08:00Take a recap of the evening news.
08:02Look at the morning paper.
08:05There is things like the Transbago Meteorological Office has an actual app that you can download on your phone.
08:11Have a more deep dive into what the weather pattern and what the conditions are going to be like for
08:17the day.
08:18Because how it is going to start at 8 in the morning is not necessarily how it's going to finish
08:23in the evening time.
08:24So there's a couple of things that we want to do before we go into any kind of environment that
08:30concerns that marine element.
08:34Whether it be sea, whether it be a river, whether it be just going for recreation,
08:38or even going to jump on a boat to take a small trip probably down the islands or around our
08:45magnificent islands as the case may be.
08:46So I just want to, you know, ask Mr. Francis now just to talk on a couple of points, you
08:52know,
08:53when it comes to sea survival skills and give us a little breakdown, a little insight,
08:57and some recommendations that things that we probably overlook on a daily basis.
09:02Yeah.
09:03One of the most important parts is preparation, right?
09:06There's no branch in the sea, as some would say.
09:09So when you're going to sea, it's important that you have particular tools.
09:14For example, a life jacket, a radio, never know how far you would go, water, lines, life rings,
09:22and anything that you know you would need in case there is an emergency that could save the life of
09:27yourself or the life of one of the passengers.
09:29And if it is you are a person that's going onto our boat and you realize that that person in
09:34charge of that vessel,
09:35keeping it as simple as I could, doesn't have these things, then you're putting your life in danger as well.
09:42Let me make a point here, because some of the things that you are talking about this evening,
09:49I think that, because I know how the culture is in Trinidad and Tobago.
09:54So when we're talking about life jackets, when we're talking about radios, when we're talking about other items and other
10:01devices, is this mandatory?
10:06The thing about it, Marlon, I want to use the word mandatory very carefully.
10:12If we're concerned about saving life and if we're concerned about returning to our families, then I will say yes,
10:18mandatory.
10:19There are several laws that we will dwell into in a little while in Trinidad and Tobago that give guidelines,
10:25but you would find a lot of the guidelines directed towards a lot of commercial activity.
10:29Okay.
10:30The thing about it is, years ago, and I just want to join aviation into the marine environment a little
10:35bit,
10:37especially because of what you just mentioned.
10:39Just last week or week before, our aircraft was flown after crashing into the sea more than 60 years ago.
10:46Right, yes.
10:47And historically, when you look at that, when we go into aircraft now, we get bored sometimes,
10:52because we know, hey, for the next 10 minutes, oh my gosh, the, I just say, yes, yes.
10:56You know, the air assist will come outside or with your plane, but you're going to go through the whole
11:00shabang of how to put on your seatbelt,
11:02how to use the floatation device and things, and then we get bored with it.
11:05The thing about it is, in aviation, we know that that was created, that briefing was created because of a
11:11catastrophic incident
11:13that took place that took lives of over 100 persons years ago.
11:17Yes.
11:18In the marine environment also, a lot of the things are triggered by incidents.
11:22When an incident takes place, and that's why it's always good to have oversight in every single industry.
11:28And in the marine environment, in Trinidad, we have the Marine Services Division that sort of brings home all the
11:36rules,
11:37recommendations, and guidelines on how we should operate within that particular area.
11:42So some things may be mandatory, some things may not be mandatory.
11:46But again, it's all about if we want to be safe, if we want our families to be safe.
11:50But I think that the message is here, as an individual who is going to board a vessel, you being
11:58concerned about your safety,
12:01you should inquire if the person has a radio, or life jackets, or maybe you need to do your own
12:09inspection to see if the vessel is seaworthy.
12:13You need to do your own checks, not so?
12:15Yeah. Alan, if I may, just recently we know we have a constant ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago.
12:22Yes.
12:22And at times, like in any other mechanical piece of equipment, you would have a breakdown, you would have upset
12:27with equipment.
12:28And there may be some laboring on the seas, or even a standstill situation.
12:35You know, we get into that vessel and we bypass all those life jackets and think nothing about it.
12:40Mm-hmm.
12:40I want to ask Francis, even before we go into these vessels, we enter these vessels, exactly what we should
12:47be looking for.
12:48And if something does happen, you know, and as police officers, we always believe that we should always be prepared
12:54for the worse.
12:55Of course.
12:56You know, expect the worse.
12:57If something should happen, the kind of things that we should do at a point in time, instead of just
13:02screaming on the place because you have hundreds of people on the phone.
13:04And taking out your phone to tape.
13:06Yeah.
13:06What should we be doing?
13:07You see, it's important to locate the emergency exits in the vessel in your phone.
13:13To locate where the life jackets are and to understand how to don them, how to put them on.
13:18Right?
13:18But that has to be done before.
13:20Of course.
13:21Yeah.
13:21Right?
13:23Also, the most important part about safety is not to panic.
13:27There will be some person with any vessel that would control the situation.
13:31And it's paramount to listen to that person so that the thing doesn't get out of hand.
13:36Pushing and shoving and all these kind of things.
13:39I think also that you should put on the table here this evening that you should take instructions from whoever
13:48is in charge of the vessel.
13:50That's correct.
13:50Right?
13:50Because you know how everybody feel there's a captain and there's police and there's security and all kind of things.
13:57So, I think that listen to the authority on the vessel.
14:02That is correct.
14:03Right?
14:03Who has authority for the vessel?
14:04It will be the briefing as well.
14:05The board and briefing as well.
14:06Yeah.
14:07Well, gentlemen, we must go to a breaker.
14:09But we do have some things before we do that.
14:13Jackie, we do have the SOE update?
14:17Mm-hmm.
14:22All right.
14:23So, number of operations, 10705.
14:25Number of targets, priority offenders, 2782.
14:28Searches conducted, 3978.
14:30Traffic operation, 6633.
14:33Total persons arrested, 4,761.
14:35Total persons charged, 1145.
14:38Moving on.
14:39Firearms recovered, 141 pistols, 46 revolvers, 42 shotguns.
14:45Significant, 18 rifles.
14:47Ammunition recovered, 2,517 rounds of 9mm.
14:52All right.
14:53Let me see some air.
14:54Here, 846 rounds of 5.56.
14:56Another significant fine there by the police.
14:59And dangerous drug seized, 579,039 grams of cannabis.
15:05The weed.
15:07That's all you like?
15:07Yes.
15:08So, a lot of that has been seized.
15:11Headlines.
15:38All right.
15:38Two things before we go to the break, all right?
15:40So, allow me to remind you of a number, 623-1711.
15:44The extensions are 1996, 1997.
15:47And also, if you want to share videos with us here on Beyond the Tape,
15:51you can do so by emailing to beyondthetape1 at gmail.com.
15:57That's the number there.
16:00That's the email address, 765-8383.
16:04So, again, we do have with us this evening ASP Ronnie Rampalad
16:08from the Coastal and Air Support Unit of the TTPS,
16:11and he's assisted by Police Constable Kenton Francis.
16:15We are going to a very short break.
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18:14The dedim future.
18:46And welcome back, everybody.
18:47So here's what, as I would have said earlier, we do have co-hosting with us this evening, ASP Ronnie
18:53Rampellard from the Coastal and Air Support Unit, and he's assisted by Police Constable Kenton Francis.
18:58Gentlemen, thank you again for coming this evening.
19:01So here's what, ASP, let's jump in right away as it relates to maritime safety.
19:08Yes, Marlon.
19:09So with the increasing occurrence of incidents that takes place within the region and very close to whom I would
19:14say a lot of the times, is a reminder that we need to take some more consistent action.
19:18And that is needed in order to prevent reoccurrence and protect persons traveling by sea.
19:23And when it comes to maritime safety, we have a major stakeholder that advises us and partners with us when
19:30we engage in the community.
19:32That is the public, the maritime services division.
19:36And what we have done and what we're doing right now is creating a public maritime safety advisory so that
19:42we can put it out there to the public and we will utilize all the social media platforms that we
19:46have, especially our TTPs Facebook page.
19:49And wherever such incidents become frequent, public education and timely safety advisories play an important part in reducing the risk
19:58that is exposed to persons outside there.
20:02This advisory will be intended for the persons traveling between Trinidad and Tobago, persons using the water taxi service, people
20:09attending boat parties, having recreating times over the weekend, persons traveling on pirogues, motor launches, and other small vessels throughout
20:17Trinidad and Tobago.
20:18So before you move on, this advisory that we're speaking about, that is something in the making.
20:23I would say it was completed today.
20:25It was completed today.
20:26Yeah.
20:27So we have been working assiduously with the maritime services division.
20:30Right.
20:30And again, we engage in maritime stakeholder engagements all of the time.
20:36In fact, at least once per month.
20:38And the maritime service division, they're always with us.
20:41And whatever issues we raise in those stakeholder meetings, they put it to the forefront.
20:47Right.
20:47And we set a table of ideas and information to get outside there one time.
20:51The thing about it is the main domestic framework that regulates all of the maritime activity in Trinidad and Tobago.
20:57We have one, the Shipping Act, Chapter 5010.
21:00We have the Shipping Local Passenger Ship Safety Regulations.
21:04The Motor Launches Act, Chapter 5008, and its regulations.
21:08And other safety, harbor, immigration, customs, and marine area legislation that may be applicable in other laws.
21:16When it comes to the Motor Launch Act and the Shipping Act, there are some differences.
21:22Remember earlier you talk about mandatory.
21:26So because there's a separation as the categorization and designation of particular vessels, whether it be for recreation or whether
21:34it be for sizes, vessels over 30 meters or under 30 meters for the particular use.
21:39And if it is being paid for, all of these different ingredients, when put into that pie, makes the pie
21:46taste different.
21:46So sometimes, some things may be applicable.
21:49Sometimes, some things may not.
21:51But one thing we always want to do and recognize wherever there's a rule and a regulation, Marlon.
21:57Even if, let's suppose we have an 18-foot barrel, one single 150-horsepower engine on it.
22:04Are we just using that for recreation?
22:06Probably just to go around the area, throw a line, or the case may be.
22:09One standard that we want to set is the gold standard that even in the commercial world that they created.
22:15You're talking about engineers.
22:16You're talking about researchers.
22:17Spending years and time to come up with these rules and regulations.
22:21Going outside there.
22:22And also, one of the main things, I would say, is to learn from the mistakes of others.
22:27Let us not go outside there.
22:29Try to reinvent the wheel.
22:30Wait until something catastrophic happens.
22:32Someone gets injured, killed, or even worse, to actually start to follow the rules and guidelines.
22:36So, we're going to put out these guidelines in, again, along our social media handles.
22:42We'll communicate with you all, too, probably, to see if you get it out there on the general media.
22:47Ms. Archie, who's here at a corporate, comes by us and see what best we could do to put in
22:52place.
22:53And we're going to speak about things like documents, surveys of boats, so that when you come in, even in
22:58a commercial vessel,
23:00even as the average Joe enter in there, you know what to look for.
23:04If you see a particular certificate stuck on a wall or something, you know that, hey, take a closer look.
23:09It is certified.
23:10It does not pass its expiration date.
23:12The boat is intended for 30 passengers, as the case may be.
23:17But when we went outside there, and most of all, we don't want to just depend on the rules and
23:22regulations.
23:23Again, these things were created because most instances, something catastrophic took place.
23:28We want to apply, first and foremost, personal responsibility and some common sense.
23:32If you go in a small vessel, and the vessel is 10 feet long, and you see 30 people sitting
23:37on the vessel,
23:38something should start to click, Marlon.
23:40Hey, something is not wrong here.
23:41Again, we're not here to play any blame game because we know in the heat of the moment,
23:46a lot of people are excited to get things done.
23:48It is a particular event.
23:49There's a party.
23:50The weekend is a holiday.
23:52And sometimes our emotions get the better of us, and we don't make the best decisions at that point in
23:57time.
23:58But in hindsight, we must look back at these things now and say, hey, we have to be cautious.
24:02I just listed out a couple of the chapters, and I'll invite the public.
24:06We always say in law, ignorance of the law is no excuse.
24:09Because the public is, those laws are there and open and accessible to the entire citizenry.
24:15Yeah.
24:15Read up.
24:16But I want to ask, Officer Francis, what are some of the red flags that we should be looking for?
24:20Reference to.
24:21Yeah?
24:21Explain.
24:22For the passenger.
24:24For the passenger, well, you want to look for a vessel that looks seaweaty.
24:28You don't have to be a marina to understand if a vessel looks good.
24:31You go into a vessel and realize that there might be some holes you can see out into the open
24:36there.
24:36There might be some places where it is, you know, you're not seeing life jackets around.
24:41You're not seeing a safe boat.
24:42You're not seeing fire extinguishers.
24:45These kinds of things you want to look for to ensure that you are safe on the vessel.
24:49You want to find out if it is possible you can reach the captain to know if he's qualified.
24:53Right?
24:53If he's up to date.
24:54I mean, if you're going to the ferry to the bayou and see the captain, but as much as you
24:58can find out about your safety, because your safety is your responsibility.
25:01Yeah.
25:02You see, ASP, Ram Palard, I think that ASP is being very, very kind this evening to certain people out
25:11there, but I don't have to be kind.
25:14Because ASP, it is my estimation, and it is just my belief, and I could be wrong, and you'll tell
25:20me if I am wrong.
25:21And you speak about the regulations for the maritime industry and these large ships and boats and so on.
25:33But what about the common man who is using the pirog to transport people all over the place and the
25:41small fishing vessels and so on?
25:43Is there a stringent sort of following of regulations that are in place?
25:54Marlon, based on our patrols and our involvement within the maritime area, I would say there's a lot lacking.
26:04I don't want to put a fig on it, but there's a lot lacking.
26:07People have to understand, we will face the consequences for any reckless action that we take part in, whether it
26:13was intended or not intended.
26:15Some sort of common sense must apply.
26:18And whenever these things take place, a lot of the times they are influenced by some sort of financial gain
26:28or loss at that point in time.
26:30So you would expect kickback, especially in a business industry.
26:33However, we must look at the bigger picture.
26:37There are rules and regulations set out there.
26:39And even if, let's say, you were driving a boat at a particular speed, and in the regulation and guidelines,
26:48they would give particular speeds that you should follow.
26:50Even in the absence of you not being able to be issued, let's say, a fixed penalty notice for going
26:57past a particular speed limit,
26:58what you must be mindful of is that a case is being made, you are making a case against yourself
27:05in a particular situation.
27:06Because if something does go wrong, somebody does get injured, or damage takes place, all of these things are going
27:12to pile up on you.
27:14And even if in the absence of criminal offense, remember, civil action could be taken against you in a court
27:19of law at the same time.
27:22So the reason why I ask that, because when accidents do happen, and again, I'm talking about the small accidents,
27:30the pirogues and the fishing vessels, the small ones now, right?
27:35You will always ask the question, did they have life jackets, right?
27:39And sometimes, if the vessel is still intact, all you may see is maybe a gas container.
27:45You know, I don't have to tell you all.
27:47You know what you all see.
27:49So my point is, is that there has to, well, just my feeling, there should be stringent adherence to what
28:00the regulations are.
28:02Yeah, I'm sure that you all would agree.
28:05I totally agree, Marlon.
28:06And I'll just touch on a point of another stakeholder that we engage in on a regular basis.
28:11So the Maritime Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago, MSAT, led by Mr. Jesse James, he's the president, we work
28:20with them.
28:20They work alongside a lot of different government agencies.
28:23And they bring to the table a lot of challenges that mariners and persons in that marine environment normally experience.
28:33And wherever there are laws, regulations, or lacking, especially as you mentioned, specifically with the recreational type of marine environment,
28:43one thing in the works right now, you have something called the NORWIC zone.
28:47It is presently, it needs to be urgently established and designated throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
28:53So in a particular area, a certain class of vessel that could cause this particular type of disruption,
28:58or pose a particular danger to persons bathing or occupying in a particular area,
29:03it is presently being tabled and assiduously so.
29:06So also, we've been getting constant updates from the Maritime Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
29:13Inclusion of things like channel markers to put within, especially the Western Peninsula,
29:19to direct where persons engaging in any sort of commercial activity or activity that creates weak and turbulence,
29:26much more than the sea beater should experience, they should be in a particular area.
29:30And also pushing that these come heavily with fines in case there's any breach of these particular regulations.
29:36Officer, before we move on to that, we must go to a very short break, everybody.
29:40We're coming back.
29:41Today we're going to start a new topic, and that topic is entitled...
29:47R. J.
29:57There is no way I could teach in all that noise, and there is definitely no way we children could
30:04learn in that noise of violence.
30:06They deserve more, that fear, that anxiety.
30:11We have to have our classrooms filled with joy, laughter, and hope, not fear.
30:18That is why I support the TCPS School-Oriented Policing Initiative.
30:24This is not just about law enforcement.
30:27It's about building trust.
30:29Parents, teachers, students, and officers, all coming together to provide a safe space where young minds can flourish.
30:40If we all stand side by side, we can protect our children, keep them safe, and they could have a
30:49space to learn without anxiety and fear.
30:53I am ready to partner with the TCPS in fostering safe, respectful, and empowered schools across Trinidad and Tobago.
31:04It's not a simple task.
31:06We need parents, students, teachers, and communities to get involved.
31:13It's time to get on board.
31:15Securing our schools.
31:17Securing our future.
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33:03Alright everybody.
33:04So welcome back.
33:04So we are back with ASP Ronnie Rampelard from the Coastal and Air Support Unit.
33:09Assisted by Police Constable Kenton Francis.
33:12Officer Francis, what are these things that you have brought here for us?
33:15I have brought different life-saving apparatus like a life ring.
33:20I think everybody should know what this is.
33:22If someone has before.
33:24Yeah, yeah, yeah.
33:24I never touched one.
33:25What do you think you would do with this in our life-saving situation?
33:28To throw to the victim, right?
33:31Yeah, you threw it to them.
33:32And if possible, attach a line to it.
33:35Because not all persons can swim.
33:37True.
33:37You're right.
33:37So we have that.
33:40Go ahead.
33:42You have here a life vest.
33:45Now there are different types of life vests.
33:46This is a type 1 life vest.
33:48This is the one that you would do and put on to a person.
33:51When you're exiting the boat under any emergency situation.
33:54It's also important to know how the life vest fits you.
33:59Yeah.
34:00And the way it puts it on and so on.
34:01They have different sizes.
34:03So here we'll see the weight it would take.
34:05So this would be for adults.
34:0642 kilograms and up.
34:08Right?
34:09Yeah.
34:10Right.
34:11As you can see, it has illumination in it for nighttime.
34:14Right.
34:14So it might become a whistle as well and so on.
34:17Then we have another type of life vest here.
34:19Right.
34:19This is called a horseshoe.
34:20Now it depends on this one and the other one is that this has an air canister in it.
34:24Mm-hmm.
34:24Right?
34:24So on contact with water.
34:26Okay.
34:26It would inflate.
34:27All right.
34:28Okay.
34:28All right.
34:29That would be contained inside of here.
34:30Mm-hmm.
34:31Mm-hmm.
34:34Then you have that.
34:35Here as well.
34:35Yeah.
34:36Another rescue apparatus here.
34:37We have this is a rope.
34:40Okay.
34:40A rope bag.
34:41Say, throw this rope out.
34:42It's our two in line.
34:42Right?
34:43So it's a rope bag.
34:43Okay.
34:44A true in rescue line.
34:45Okay.
34:45This line floats.
34:46All right.
34:47It would not sink.
34:47Say, throw it to the person, of course.
34:49Mm-hmm.
34:49And you pull them back into safety.
34:51So these are some of the things that mariners should have.
34:55Should.
34:56Yeah.
34:56Somebody be seen as they should have.
34:57Are these things inexpensive or are they expensive?
35:00Can anyone afford these things?
35:04They are not inexpensive, but I mean, how it costs expensive in their life.
35:08Beautiful.
35:09I like how you put it.
35:10So buy one.
35:11Buy one.
35:12Yeah?
35:12Yeah.
35:13ASP, you spoke about earlier overcrowding of vessels and so on.
35:21And just recently, as you know, there was an incident.
35:27And I believe a child would have died in that incident.
35:30And I know that there was a search for another woman.
35:34And I'm told by the hunter's search and rescue that other persons would have made it to their destination and
35:42so on.
35:42But it doesn't change the fact, ASP, that there are some people in Trinidad and Tobago who continue to be
35:50involved in the transport of persons between Trinidad and Tobago and other countries.
35:58Are there laws to deal with this type of trade, to prevent it, to deter it?
36:04Well, yes, Marlon.
36:05There are the immigration laws that are in existence right now.
36:08Yeah.
36:09And we know crime is a evolving thing.
36:11And so, too, the tools and resources that we have to treat with criminality must evolve also.
36:17Yeah.
36:17And you hit the nail on its head where you're directed things into specific geographic locations and particular types of
36:26elements.
36:26And those are the things that we are, as the police service, coastal support unit, arm of the coastal and
36:33air support unit, we're going to dig heavily into in the upcoming months.
36:38Our focus is going to be there.
36:40Right now, I'm sure you would have heard Operation Resolution 3 letters taking place within the TPS.
36:45We have a constant drive that is given by our Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Ms. Martin, to continuously engage
36:52in activity that will deal with illegal firearms, illegal trade, illegal movement of persons, all of these sort of different
36:59things.
37:00And there are existing laws concerning those things, regular immigration laws.
37:04The use of a vessel for commercial purpose outside of that.
37:08These things may be hard to deal with when it comes to guarding evidence because of the persons that, you
37:14know, affiliated with that type of activity.
37:16But we are going to make some breakthroughs in the coming months and we're going to dive heavily into those
37:20things.
37:21You know, you talked about recognizing laws on different things and how we're supposed to do different things.
37:25As I said earlier, one of the things that we are doing is partnering with the Maritime Services Division and
37:31the Maritime Association.
37:35And on the platform of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is available knowledge, tools and resources that we could
37:44use.
37:45You asked earlier if some things are law.
37:46Some of the things there are not law as yet.
37:48But there's already a rule out, the MOTAP system, where you can go in online right now, register, train, and
37:55be qualified and get a small boats operator's license.
38:00The thing about it is this will guide you into every single thing that you should be doing and should
38:05not be doing.
38:06The information is there.
38:07They have even created a booklet for fishermen operating vessels, I believe, less than 28 meters in length.
38:14And as I said earlier, use that gold standard of the fishing vessels and the commercial vessels even in your
38:20recreational time.
38:21And I use that word loosely.
38:24Normally, we may think of a recreational boat as probably a 20-foot perog with 150 horsepower engine.
38:29Now, we are seeing the advent of where, if you could afford it, persons having small vessels, three outboard engines
38:36in the back, 300 horsepower each and that kind of thing.
38:39So, there needs to be some set standard even for the recreational activity.
38:44And we're really trying to push that right now.
38:46Within recent times, although we have heard of these tragic incidents taking place, especially in our southwestern penitentiary, I'm sure
38:53you would have heard on air operations that took place in that area.
38:58And when we're targeting that type of activity, and it's not just about catching someone, it's about saving lives.
39:06It's about creating preventative measures so that these things, these tragic incidents, don't happen in the future again.
39:11I have one more minute before we go to a break.
39:14How serious is the situation of unauthorized sea crossings?
39:19Do we have a real problem, a serious problem?
39:23Marlon, to make a specific statement on that, we need to gather data.
39:29We have to have statistical data to say, here, here, this is what we had for this period, this is
39:34what we had for that period, and other periods.
39:36But it's a common problem.
39:37It is a common problem, and it takes place anywhere.
39:40And I can't hide and say that it doesn't exist, because you go to Maracas Beach, you go to Las
39:45Cuevas,
39:45and you would see certain things and certain elements within maritime craft, I'm telling you, something's telling you, something ain't
39:52right.
39:53This shouldn't be here.
39:54But recently, we were exposed to the fact that we're adjoining a border with another territory.
40:00There's not really any big open space there.
40:03In fact, there's a path between Trinidad and Venezuela.
40:06Sorry, that's called a land, but it's just seven miles away.
40:10So it's very easy for cross-border activities to take place, and that's why we're stepping up our game.
40:16And where we may lack with tools and resources, while we are with acquisition, for better tools and resources,
40:22we're going to continue partnering with other agencies like the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard,
40:26the Customs and Excise Division, and all the other marine entities to work together,
40:32hand in hand, again, to deal with every single aspect of criminality outside there.
40:36And, most importantly, to save lives, because that's the end goal here, to save lives.
40:42All right, gentlemen, we must go to a very short break.
40:43We're coming back, everybody.
40:44Stay right.
40:45We're coming back, everybody.
41:15We are so sorry.
41:18We thought you were our enemy.
41:20Please forgive us.
41:22We apologize.
41:33This, this is what your father looked for.
41:37These are the leaders.
41:38They love the power.
41:41They will not unite.
41:45But there is.
41:47According to all the archives we've read, before being granted the title of king,
41:52the leader had to face a challenger to defend his claim on the throne.
41:56All you have to do is challenge both leaders and defeat them in single combat.
42:25The challenge mando is to welcome deaf boy.
42:55You know what?
42:56You know what?
42:57Let's head to the sacred hill.
42:59Let's head to the sacred hill.
43:01Let's head to the sacred hill.
44:07All right, everybody. So welcome back. Of course, we continue to speak about maritime safety, and we do have with
44:12us today ASP Ronnie Rampalard from the Coastal and Air Support Unit, and he's assisted by Police Constable Kenton Francis.
44:20Jackie, you have some things for us that we need to clear up?
44:51All right.
46:53Because at the end of the day, if a crime is committed, whether land, sea, or air, it is the
46:57police responsibility to treat with those matters.
47:02Right now, the system, I would say, is a little act when it comes to reporting maritime activity through any
47:08platforms that exist outside there.
47:11But we want to encourage the general public to get on board with the platform that has been rolling out
47:16right now because it will be improved, and these systems for reporting via online and in an anonymous way will
47:23be introduced very soon.
47:24These things are in discussion. Earlier, Marlon, you mentioned reporting, and one of the biggest issues or big burdening issue
47:34that we have, especially within developed spaces, developed coastal areas, is noise pollution.
47:42It's something I would admit, it is a little tricky to deal with, but it is nothing that we cannot
47:48deal with at the same time. We need that information, and where we see gaps exist in moving from reporting
47:55to detection and then prosecution, we need, again, statistical data in order to push forward a policy to treat with
48:04those things.
48:04But where is this noise pollution emanating from?
48:08Vassals, people, recreational boats, persons outside there. We get the calls all the time. A lot of the times, we
48:14as a unit will have to respond 12 midnight, 1 a.m., because persons, you know, having their slumber and
48:21awakened by loud bass, music, you know.
48:24We want everybody to enjoy a space, a safe space, and everybody must be able to enjoy it in a
48:29way that they could, but enjoy it in a way that you could without being a burden to someone else.
48:34And that is one of the things that we're trying to drive home through encouraging dialogue with the boat users,
48:41the operators outside there.
48:44And know the, you know, the devastating situation that you create on land, even out at sea, even quarter mile,
48:51half mile out at sea, especially when you're within this mountainous range of the Western Peninsula area.
48:56And it causes a lot, you know, it causes a lot of disturbance. When we're operating these vessels outside there,
49:03you spoke earlier about someone using a vessel to transport persons, probably offline, probably for illegal immigrant purpose.
49:09Yes.
49:09So I just want to refer to the Motor Launch Act. In the Motor Launch Act, it specifically deals with
49:14motor vessels mechanically propelled, not exceeding 30.5 meters.
49:20But the Act generally does not apply to motor launches or boats that are not being used for pleasure purposes.
49:28So if you're not using it for pleasure purposes and you're carrying passengers and whatnot, a lot of rules and
49:33regulations now apply.
49:34Even though you want a registered vessel because you are paying customers and taking part in a particular type of
49:41activity.
49:42And under that very Act, I just want to quote a couple for you.
49:45Wherever Motor Launch is used to carry passengers without a launch license, a license captain, an engineer.
49:52Look, I hope you're understanding how many different requirements are set in place once it goes from regular recreational activity
49:59to commercial activity.
50:01With more passengers that the vessel is licensed to carry.
50:04You raised that point earlier.
50:07Listen to the kind of fines.
50:09Prescribed under the Act of Regulations, a person convicted summarily is liable to a fine of $7,500.
50:15This penalty was increased from $2,000 to $7,500 by Section 12 of the Finance Act 2026.
50:22A court may suspend your license disqualified from obtaining a license in the future.
50:26And a conviction and any related offense could be endorsed on your license.
50:33And that could go a long way as an individual because you may just be recreation purposes right now.
50:39But, you know, 10 years down the road, you may have the aspiration to become a boat captain or get
50:45into the commercial time activity.
50:46When these things are put on your record and set on your record, it will affect your future.
50:52So even while you're enjoying yourself, enjoy yourself in a responsible and reasonable manner.
50:58What are some of the main challenges that your unit has to deal with, that you're seeing out there, that
51:08maybe in some cases it's prevalent?
51:11What are some of the challenges that you all have been seeing?
51:14Well, I'll put across that to Mr. Francis, who's mostly on the water.
51:18I would say unsafe boat handling with most fishermen.
51:22When I say fishermen, I would say persons that drive pierogs.
51:26You'll see them though sometimes.
51:27If you ever go on the island and see some men come with the boats and they just be even
51:30very wild and loose around persons being in the water.
51:33Jet ski men as well are under a serious issue.
51:36Sometimes you're like fishermen laying the nets in places that ought not be and are putting markers.
51:42Other boats are passing, there's no light out there to see.
51:44So these are some of the major issues we have.
51:46And I continue to ask the fishermen you're not to partner with us.
51:48This is for everyone.
51:49We all want to enjoy it, but we want to enjoy it safe.
51:52Yeah.
51:53Obviously, Rampala, over to you.
51:54We have a few minutes again.
51:55Anything else you'd like to place on the table this evening before you leave us?
51:59Just a couple of things I want to mention, Marlon.
52:01When we're talking about responsible behavior, especially in a marine environment, they always say a teaspoon of water.
52:08You could draw on a teaspoon of water.
52:09We have people, monitor the weather people.
52:13Look at the recent trends.
52:15You know, it's amazing to us as the Coastal Lineage Support Unit.
52:18Whenever we have bad weather, we have flooding taking place.
52:22We have hurricane, bad weather, rain, thunder and lightning.
52:27Those are the times that we're always outside looking for persons in water, missing persons in water.
52:33You know, people, we need to be a little more responsible in our actions.
52:36If we're truly concerned about the lives, our lives, and the lives of our loved ones.
52:42Before you move on, but what's your, do you have a message at all for the persons who like to
52:46camp?
52:49Yeah.
52:51Information will give us a lot of assistance if we need to help you.
52:57Be responsible for those campers.
52:59Make sure you're going to legitimate camping sites.
53:01Those who are going on the hiking walks.
53:03Yes.
53:03Make sure you utilize a proper registered and legitimate tour guide.
53:09Right?
53:10If one man is carrying out a group of 60 people, I could tell you safely something is wrong.
53:15Really?
53:15Yeah.
53:16That ratio, not sounding good at all.
53:18In fact, having spoken to a lot of tour guides, they were saying like one guide to six to eight
53:24persons, you know, is reasonable.
53:27We welcome as the Toronto Public Service, you're dropping off our list to us when you're going out on these
53:32hikes.
53:32Give us names.
53:33Give us contact numbers.
53:34Give us an extra kin.
53:35Give us a description of your clothing.
53:37The time that you're wanting back on your hike.
53:39Where you're going to and the time you're expected to come back out.
53:42Take pictures of yourself and share it with your loved ones.
53:44So if something happens, God forbid, at least we have something to work with.
53:48No.
53:49Yeah.
53:50Because I think that we do have some daredevils out there.
53:54Because it doesn't change the fact that we are into the rainy season.
53:58Yes, we're having some good days, some bright, some sunny days sometimes.
54:02But I think that some people, including the, what should I say, the hike leaders.
54:09I think that some of them are taking unnecessary risks.
54:14And we see it sometimes where the police have to intervene and the regiment have to intervene.
54:19So again, some people are just taking unnecessary risks.
54:23And sometimes they do get information like that it is going to have bad weather.
54:28And they're still taking people to the rivers and so on.
54:31Not understanding that conditions can change at the drop of a coin.
54:36And Marlon, we as the TCPS have taken a responsible approach in recent times.
54:41Whenever we receive hazardous public warnings, we have started posting those things on our social media sites.
54:47To assist the Meteorological Society in getting that information outside there.
54:51Let's take a responsible approach in what we're doing on a daily basis.
54:56You know, too many things, Marlon, happen.
54:58And a lot of these things that happen are preventable.
55:01Could be preventable.
55:02We're not here to cast blame on anyone.
55:05But we want to take the right step in going forward in the future.
55:09Yeah.
55:10Officers, I just have about maybe about two minutes again.
55:13Any final comments?
55:15Marlon, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police,
55:17our Line Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Ms. Suzette Martin.
55:21Our Assistant Commissioner of Police Tactical Support, Mr. Carlos Hazel.
55:25The rest of my team.
55:26I'm Inspector in Charge of Coastal Support Unit, Mr. Fabian Brisbane.
55:31We just want to thank you all for the opportunity.
55:33And thank you to the general public for being receptive.
55:36And we know that you are being receptive this evening.
55:39We can just feel it.
55:40And to the wider community, we want to wish you all a happy African Emancipation Day tomorrow.
55:48And always remember, the price of freedom always comes with the burden of making sure that we are able to
55:54live good and be fair with others.
55:57We have a personal responsibility while engaging in this freedom to make everyone enjoy the safe place and make a
56:05safe place for all.
56:05Yeah.
56:06What about this weekend here?
56:08We do have a holiday tomorrow, I suspect.
56:11I don't know if the trend is that when you have holidays, you have more and more people taking to
56:17the seas.
56:18Any particular tips that you would like to share?
56:21Definitely, Milan.
56:23And even further than that, we have the Power Boats Competition coming up very soon.
56:27And there is going to be a lot of marine activity.
56:30Even, I believe, tomorrow they are going to have those boats on parade and things.
56:33So, there is going to be a lot of water mania going on for the next couple of weeks going
56:37on to that event.
56:39Be cautious outside there, people.
56:41Guard yourself.
56:42Guard your loved ones.
56:43Keep your eyes on your children.
56:45Take a look at the weather.
56:46Read the newspaper.
56:47Look at the evening news.
56:48Look at the weather report.
56:49Francis, anything else?
56:50Well, of course, no cost is too expensive for your safety.
56:54Right?
56:54Live jackets, live jackets, live jackets.
56:57Have a plan in case something happens.
57:01And that's about it for me.
57:02Yeah.
57:03I think it is safe to say invest in your safety.
57:06That's very important.
57:07Right?
57:07No price is too expensive.
57:08Of course.
57:08So, gentlemen, thank you very much for coming this evening.
57:12I do have, well, happy emancipation everybody.
57:15The TV6 News comes up next.
57:18See you all right back here on Monday.
57:20Bye for now.
57:22Bye for now.
57:22Bye for now.
57:24Bye for now.
57:27Bye for now.
57:29Bye for now.
57:31Bye for now.
57:31Bye for now.
57:32Bye for now.
57:35Bye for now.
57:36Bye for now.
57:37Bye for now.
57:38Bye for now.
57:38Bye for now.
57:38Bye for now.
57:40You
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