Jesse told Noonsite that he had also been receiving emails and calls about the same issues, on a daily and weekly basis and stressed that cruiser concerns and reality were very different.

“I attended a very high level meeting in April this year that was arranged by the Minister of Trade and Industry which is the Government Ministry responsible for the development of yachting and tourism sector,” he said.

“Attending the meeting were the Minister of National Security, Head of Coast Guard, Head of TT Police Service and heads of the division for our area, Head of Immigration and Customs and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism.

“I was very pleased to see all these senior people attending the meeting as it showed that they were very concerned about the issues facing our industry,” he said.

The following is the latest information and advice that has been provided by the Coast Guard, North Post Radio Station, Customs and the T@T Riverine (Marine) Unit for cruisers wanting to visit Trinidad and Tobago, as advised by Jesse James.

File a Float Plan

The most important requirements is for ALL cruisers planning to visit Trinidad and Tobago to file a Float Plan, as well as a Maritime declaration of Health form which is also part of the present requirements for visiting Trinidad and Tobago.

Piracy

The April meeting discussed many issues including piracy which is one of the current hot topics for visiting sailors. The Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard renewed his commitment to continue to work to help alleviate this issue.

Jesse emphasised to Noonsite that while there have been rumours of pirates hiding between the Hibiscus and Pointsetta Rigs and approximately five miles East of the Hibiscus rigs, there was absolutely no truth to such rumours.

“The rigs have their private security systems in place and the Government will not allow any pirates to interfere with what is our main bread and butter industry,” he said.  ” The Coast Guard is always on patrol around the rigs so it is one of the safest areas to sail. “

Coast Guard Presence

Since the April meeting, Jesse noted that he had been receiving an increasing number of reports from cruisers who have seen Coast Guard boats in their vicinity or have been stopped by Coast Guard officers and questioned, but in a very friendly manner.

“The Coast Guard visibility has given cruisers reassurance that they (the Coast Guard) are really out there,” he said.  “However, there have also been a few instances where cruisers have not filed a Float Plan.  In these cases the Coast Guard has contacted us and we have been able to verify that in all cases, the yachts and crew were expected.”

Convoys

In response to a number of incidents in the past where yachts were boarded and robbed on passage between Grenada and Trinidad, Jesse James, supported by YSATT, had previously set up a formalized convoy process for yachts planning that passage.

However, Jesse told Noonsite that he had not organised a convoy for the past five years as there had not been enough interest.

“Most yachts making this passage have been filing their float plans,” Jesse commented.   “At times we get some boats sailing together but there have been no formal convoys as everyone wants to sail to their own plans and timings.

“I do occasionally get requests from sailors to join a convoy, but I encourage them to try and join in with other boats who are sailing this way.”

AIS and Navigation Lights

There has also been some advice being spread for yachts to switch off AIS and Navigation lights. However, this makes it more difficult for the security agencies to be of assistance. It’s being said that the pirates have AIS on their boats and can find any boats making the passage to Trinidad and Tobago.

“This is just another bad rumour, ” said Jesse.  “I am not saying there have not been any issues between Trinidad and Grenada, but when you consider the thousands of vessels both local and foreign that have made the passage to or from here, there are way more incidents against cruisers up north than here.”

Dinghy Thefts

The two most recent incidents reported to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net occurred in July 2022 and October 2021 and are the only incidents of dinghy theft reported in CSSN in the last three years.

In the most recent incident, the dinghy was stolen from within a boatyard, but due to security cameras it was quickly recovered by the police and charges were laid.

“Security within the boat yards is pretty good and there is not much to worry about,” according to Jesse.  However, out in the anchorages as anywhere else, the advice that you should Lift it, Lock it or simply Lose it also applies there.

Communities and Yachties

A Community outreach meeting is planned to be held in Chaguaramas later in the year to hear from international cruisers about their concerns. As yet, a firm date has not been set for this meeting, but possibly sometime in October.

Jesse James can be contacted at:

Mobile Ph:  (+1868) 683 5202

Email:  jessejamesmembersonly@yahoo.com

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

With thanks to Jesse James, Vice President, Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago for providing this update to Noonsite.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Related Links:

Trinidad and Tobago Float Plan Form/Maritime Declaration of Health

Updated Protocols for Entry (July 2022) into Trinidad & Tobago VIA SEA

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Related Reports:

Trinidad & Tobago – Piracy and Security Reports (Noonsite)

Trinidad & Tobago Waters – Yacht Security:  How to File a Float Plan (Noonsite)

Trinidad and Tobago: Update on Clearing in Process (August 2022)

Trinidad & Tobago: Co-ordinated Effort Saves Yacht in Distress (August 2022)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………