Gulfstream successfully towed to Port of Spain
The re-floated ‘Gulfstream’ barge has successfully been towed to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) has confirmed.
A statement from the Ministry reports that the transit of the barge progressed smoothly and on schedule.
“Weather conditions coupled with high and low tides were two of the principal factors governing the timing and execution of the re-float and tow exercise,” the Ministry noted. “The barge, which remains in an overturned state, was towed by two tugs provided by the National Energy Corporation and an additional support vessel.”
“The journey from Cove, Tobago to Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain was approximately 30 hours long and was conducted under the direction of the technical experts from T&T Salvage LLC and QT Environmental,” the Ministry’s statement said.
It continued: “As a contingency, the overturned barge was escorted by a ‘Pollution Task Force’ consisting of local responders and crews attached to QT Environmental. Throughout the journey, the ‘Pollution Task Force’ remained in a response-ready posture equipped with NOFI Current Buster Systems and Rapid Deployment Skimmer Systems (RDSS) to facilitate the immediate capture and recovery of any residual hydrocarbons.
“ADCI certified divers completed survey assessments of the barge at 5:25 pm on August 21, 2024, off Chacachacare, Trinidad. The results of this survey provided the assurance needed for the vessel to enter the Sea Lots channel,” the statement revealed.
The Ministry said the last stage of the barge’s journey to Sea Lots, Port of Spain was completed at 6:43 am today, 22 August 2024.
The convoy escorting the Gulfstream arriving at Sea Lots at 7:14 am on 22 August 2024. [Image courtesy Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries]
“Upon arrival at Sea Lots, Port of Spain, the last phase of operations, to prepare the barge for storage will be conducted by the technical experts after which the Gulfstream will be officially handed over to the ‘Principal Receiver of Wrecks’ (Director of Maritime Services) attached to the Maritime Services Division (MSD) of the Ministry of Works and Transport,” it said, noting that the ‘Principal Receiver of Wrecks’ is empowered under the ‘Shipping Act’ to exercise general direction and supervision over all matters relating to wrecks and salvage.
“This handover will represent the completion of the scope of operations handled by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and its international partners T&T Salvage/QT Environmental,” the release stated.
Energy Minister Stuart R. Young S.C. M.P commended everyone who has been involved in the effort to contain the oil spill and to bring the “Gulfstream” safely to Trinidad for disposal.
In the release, the Ministry also acknowledged the support of the numerous local response partners involved in the entire exercise since February: Tobago House of Assembly; Ministry of National Security; Ministry of Works and Transport; Occupational Safety and Health Unit of the THA; Tobago Emergency Management Authority; Maritime Services Division; Heritage Petroleum Company Limited; Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited; Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management; Occupational Safety and Health Agency; National Energy Corporation; Customs and Excise Division; T&T Coast Guard; Port and Airport Authorities of Trinidad & Tobago; and the Environmental Management Authority.
It also acknowledged the support provided by international partners, namely the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited; the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds; Oil Spill Response Limited; as well as the services of international technical experts from T&T Salvage and QT Environmental.
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