by Kay-Marie Fletcher & Peter Christopher (Trinidad Guardian) Although several heads of government at this week’s 45th Caricom meeting have called for the establishment of a regional fast ferry service, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said it is not something that can be easily afforded.
In fact, Rowley is opposed to a fast ferry altogether. Instead, he suggested Caricom invests in single hull, slower vessels.
In an exclusive sit-down with Caribbean journalist Julian Rogers at the Office of the Prime Minister which was made available to Guardian Media Limited, Rowley said two to four vessels would be sufficient.
“I see people talking about a fast ferry service, they don’t know what they are talking about. We operate a fast ferry between Port-of-Spain and Scarborough, that’s 80 miles. It costs us a fortune and is heavily subsidised. I don’t see it on the cards because the resources are not there.
“If we can get two to four vessels that are purpose-based built for cargo and passengers, like the Federal Maple and the Federal Palm were built, and just operate them. They have to be single hull, slower vessels, not fast ferries,” he said.
