The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries said the re-floated barge ‘Gulfstream’, involved in the February 7 oil spill off the coast of Tobago, has been successfully towed to Trinidad.
In an update Thursday morning, the Ministry said 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 Ministry said 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.
As a contingency, the overturned barge was escorted by a ‘Pollution Task Force’ consisting of local responders and crews attached to QT Environmental.
The Ministry said 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.
The MEEI reports that the transit of the barge progressed smoothly and on schedule.
“ADCI certified divers completed survey assessments of the barge at 5:25 pm 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 last stage of the journey to Sea Lots, Port of Spain was completed at 6:43 am today, August 22, 2024.
The Ministry said 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 said 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.
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.
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young thanked all of those who have been involved in this effort to contain the oil spill and to bring the “Gulfstream” safely to Trinidad for disposal, in particular he thanked the staff at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries who managed the operations from February to now as well as all other material stakeholders who played important roles in these operations.
The MEEI acknowledged the support of its numerous response partners such as, the 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, Coast Guard, Port and Airport Authorities of Trinidad & Tobago and the Environmental Management Authority.
The MEEI also acknowledged the international support provided from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, Oil Spill Response Limited and services of international technical experts from T&T Salvage and QT Environmental.