Friday, June 8 2007

The Port-of-Spain port terminal was packed with disgruntled passengers who expected to board the TnT Express for Tobago yesterday afternoon.

Passengers had purchased tickets for the 12 pm sailing. However, at 2.24 pm the passengers had not yet boarded. Passengers who travelled from Rio Claro and Penal waited for five hours before the authorities offered an explanation. Passengers heard over the public sound system that the ferry did not have any fuel and steps were being made to have fuel sent from NP’s Pointe-a- Pierre service station.

When contacted, Port Authority public relations manager, Vilma Lewis Cockburn said there was a breakdown at NP and this caused a delay in getting enough fuel for the ferry. Cockburn also said she has been in contact with Port Authority terminal manager Thomas Toussaint who assured her the situation will be rectified within an hour.

However, those waiting were not allowed to enter the ferry up to 3 pm.