An official of the Tobago-arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce is calling for the Galleons Passage to be removed from the interisland seabridge.
Inter-isle Transportation Committee chair Diane Hadad said yesterday that the "the vessel (Galleons Passage) is clearly not suitable for the purpose for which it was bought."
Hadad's call comes after the vessel returned to Trinidad while en route to Tobago after some of its roof tiles fell off during rough condition on Wednesday.
Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan confirmed the situation during yesterday's sitting of Parliament. However, he stressed the vessel was seaworthy.
But in responding to news of the vessel's problems at sea, Hadad said: "People are now indicating that they will not travel on the vessel, not only because they do not feel safe but also that their vehicles and goods are getting sea spray. In fact, some people are joking that the sea water is preserving their goods. So if the customer is unsatisfied then we have to listen to them. "
She suggested that the vessel be used instead to "to enhance the ride on the Port-of-Spain to San Fernando route."
Asked what would happen on the seabridge if the vessel is pulled, Hadad said the Government has to make that decision.
Reminded that the Government has promised to purchase two new fast ferries in 2020 for use on the route, Hadad said: "Tobago cannot wait until then. What are we to do until that time? They just have to fix the sea bridge situation now.
"We all know that it's a ministerial team that bought the Galleons Passage. I am not sure who listened to whom and what maritime expertise they had or used when this vessel was bought, but clearly something is not right."
Commenting on Hadad's statement on the vessel's unsuitability for the inter-island route, however, Sinanan questioned her maritime knowledge.
"Until I know what maritime expertise she has, I will rely on the reports of the Maritime Services and the Lloyds of London experts and they have said that the vessel is suitable for the route."
Meanwhile, the T&T Spirit, the lone fast ferry on the seabridge, is expected to return to the route today. It was pulled from service for repairs earlier this week, as a crack was discovered in one of its three working engines.
Port Authority of T&T (PATT) chairman Lyle Alexander told Guardian Media last evening that "the vessel is expected to be back on the route on Saturday (today) after it's tested and certified."
He confirmed that the vessel has been operating on three of its four engines as one became defective shortly after it returned from drydock earlier this year.