The T&T Powerboat Association has come under criticism from Sheriff Lobo driver Justin Lennard for what he felt were poor safety measures in place during the Carib Great Race on Saturday.Lennard, who was involved in the rescue of Andrew Savary and Dale Mayers after their boat Rugrat sank, said he was disappointed with the late response by patrol boats.
"Safety and patrol for the Great Race was terrible," he said."We are risking our lives to take part in this race and we are assured safety is provided, but from what I experienced, it's clearly not provided for everybody."According to Lennard, Savary and Mayers had been stranded for about 45 minutes after their boat sank and would have been in serious trouble had he not spotted them.
"The organisers need to provide more air support. The helicopter with the medics stays in the front but the boats behind them don't get as much attention."
Lennard himself had suffered a jolted spine during the race and following the rescue, he, Savary and Mayers were dropped off at a beach in Paria, where they waited an hour and 45 minutes for a patrol boat to pick them up. The patrol boat, which Lennard said had no medics or stretcher, then carried him to Grand Rivere, where there was no medical treatment available either. From there it was decided he would be taken to Tobago for treatment at Scarborough Hospital.
"From my point of view, they showed no concern to greet me with medical aid. Everybody partied and had a good time," he said.The doctors in Scarborough suggested he get an MRI scan, which he will be getting this week. Lennard, 28, has since spoken to the Association's vice-president Garth Marshall, who requested that he submit a written report.
Speaking to the Guardian recently, Marshall said he was still awaiting the report and could not make a statement until he had reviewed it.