Several passengers on board the HC Milancia water taxi prayed after the ferry developed mechanical problems at sea yesterday. For close to an hour, the boat stuttered off the southern coast bobbing on rough waves and triggering fear among passengers. The boat, which ferries 150 passengers, picked up its trip at the Port-of-Spain docks around 2.30 pm. Passenger Geeta Jadoonanan said the seas were rough and waves were slapping against the left side of the boat. She said when passengers asked about the delay, they were told the boat had developed mechanical problems.
She said: "They told us not to panic and to try and relax. It was scary and we were all praying the boat did not sink in the sea. They told us the sea was rough and they were having some problems." Another passenger said a movie was played to calm passengers. Passenger Ramlal Harrikissoon said when the boat approached off Felicity, it started to slow down, almost to a crawl. "We spent about 20 minutes on the boat and it was moving slow. It never circled. It was just moving slowly," Harrikissoon said. Finally around 4.10 pm, the boat sailed into the harbour and passengers were allowed to disembark. Harrikissoon said a member of the crew told him the ship had mechanical problems.
"If there is problems with the boat, then park it up and fix it instead of carrying passengers," one annoyed passenger said as he trekked out of the walkway. Passenger Ivy Santoo said all passengers were given a free ticket for a return trip on the vessel next Thursday. However, she said a $15 ticket could not pay for their lives if they had drowned at sea. A senior boat official, who requested anonymity, said he did not know what was the problem with the vessel. A team of men, wearing coveralls, were seen on board the ship. The boat later was taken for a test drive off the coast of San Fernando Wharf, minus passengers. Security guards at the wharf refused to allow media personnel close to the vessel.
