(Trinidad Express) A major maritime disaster unfolded in the waters off Chaguaramas on Sunday evening when two pleasure vessels collided, leaving at least six people injured, five reported missing and triggering an intense sea and aerial search for passengers feared lost in the water.
The collision, which occurred around 6.30 p.m. in the vicinity of Point Cannings, near Staubles Bay, resulted in several passengers being thrown overboard and one of the vessels sinking.
Among those initially reported missing was a 17-year-old girl.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Coastal Support Unit and Air Support Unit, immediately launched a major search-and-rescue operation, deploying vessels, divers and aerial resources in a desperate effort to locate those unaccounted for.
Six people were transported to the St. James Medical Complex, while others were rescued and brought ashore at Staubles Bay.
The full extent of the tragedy remained unclear as rescue teams continued searching the waters between Staubles Bay and Gasparee.
According to preliminary police reports, the collision involved a 28-foot Bowen pleasure craft named BAMBALEO, captained by Richard Yousef, and a 29-foot Chantelle vessel named BELBAGAI, captained by Mattique Fereira.
Police reported that the BAMBALEO was travelling in an easterly direction near Point Cannings when it collided with the BELBAGAI, which was heading west.
The impact caused extensive damage to both vessels and sent several passengers into the sea.
The BELBAGAI subsequently sank.
Police reports indicated that nine people from the BELBAGAI were brought ashore at Staubles Bay, while six people required medical attention.
All 17 people initially reported aboard the BAMBALEO were also brought safely ashore.
Sergeant Denoon of the Western Division confirmed the incident to the Express.
He said the BAMBALEO was carrying approximately 18 people, while the BELBAGAI had approximately 19 people aboard when the vessels collided.
Denoon confirmed that all 18 people aboard the BAMBALEO were reported safe, but said approximately five people from the BELBAGAI remained missing.
Describing the immediate response to the collision, Denoon said the BAMBALEO and other vessels assisted in transporting injured passengers to the nearby Coast Guard base at Staubles Bay.
The incident was then reported to Coast Guard personnel, who immediately mobilised a rescue operation.
“The Coast Guard sprung into action, jumped on their vessels, and began a search along with Coast Guard divers,” Denoon told the Express.
He said Coast Guard divers, together with personnel from the police Coastal Support Unit and Air Support Unit, began searching the surrounding waters for the missing passengers.
Marine and aerial checks were conducted in the area between Staubles Bay and Gasparee, where those unaccounted for were believed to be in the water.
The operation centred on the waters surrounding Point Cannings, where the collision occurred and the BELBAGAI went down.
A Coast Guard ambulance also transported injured passengers from the BELBAGAI to the St. James Infirmary for medical attention.
Five passengers identified as missing
Preliminary police reports identified five people who remained unaccounted for following the collision.
They are:
* Ameer Mohammed
* Keeana Seechan
* Lorenzo Oliver
* Anil Ahaye
* Titus
Six taken for medical treatment
The six people identified in police reports as seeking medical attention at the St. James Infirmary were:
* Marcus Seechan
* Isreal Ahey
* Joanne Beard
* Doriel Ryan
* Khalil Williams
* Andre Henry
Police and maritime officials respond
Several police and maritime officials visited the scene following the collision.
They included Acting Sergeant Narine and Police Constable Inniss of the Carenage Police Station, Police Constable Dennie of the Western Division Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Chief Petty Officer Sobion of the Maritime Services.
Personnel from the Coast Guard and the Coastal Support Unit continued their rescue efforts around Point Cannings as authorities attempted to account for everyone who had been aboard the two vessels.
The sinking of the BELBAGAI added urgency to the operation, with divers searching the waters while aerial and marine units checked the surrounding area.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remained under investigation, while the immediate priority of the Coast Guard and police was locating the missing passengers and ensuring that those rescued received medical attention.
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