Caribbean Dockyard and Engineering Services Ltd (Caridoc), the operating company of CL Marine, is distancing itself from an oil spill, which affected scores of fisherfolk in the north western peninsula.
Caridoc’s executive director Grant Taylor said yesterday that even though fingers are being pointed at his company, Caridoc was in no way responsible for the oil spill which affected Coast Guard vessels, yachts and fishing pirogues.
“There is no oilspill. There is no situation here,” Taylor told the Guardian when contacted in his office.
Told that the Guardian had photographs of oil-stained vessels, Taylor said the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) inspectors visited the site yesterday and conducted investigations.
“I really don’t know where the oil came from. The EMA will tell you that we have reported oil here a number of times in the past,” Taylor said.
Asked whether any of Caridoc’s vessels were contaminated, Taylor said no. He also said there were no breach in any of the booms situated close to his company.
“We are a dock yard and everybody will point a finger at us. The EMA is in a position to speak on the validity of anything you are speaking about,” Taylor said.
Photographs obtained by the Guardian show men spraying a green liquid on the oil slick. A vessel named Marigold was also seen in the photograph while oil was seen on the exterior and interior of the vessels.
EMA investigates
EMA chairman Dr Allan Bachan said yesterday preliminary investigations suggest that the oil spill occurred because of a breach in an oil boom close to the Caridoc.
“We have been investigating incidents in the area since January 27. We believe based on preliminary findings that Caridoc has been bringing in vessels for repair and maintenance. They utilised a boom, to contain the oil and there might have been was a breach in the boom and the oil ended up by Coast Guard area,” Bachan said.
“We are liaising with the Coast Guard and maritime services to address this matter. We went to the Coast Guard and we are continuing to hold discussions with Caridoc to ascertain what can be done to rectify the situation.”
Bachan also said contrary to reports from secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea Gary Aboud, the EMA did not find any dead fish at Scotland Bay.
He said the EMA would pursue the investigation in a comprehensive manner to determine the source of the spill.
Interceptors, pirogues affected
Coast Guard affected
Lieutenant Commander of the T&T Coast Guard Kirk Jean-Baptiste confirmed that an oil slick had affected several vessels belonging to the Coast Guard.
“We have two interceptors, two Coast Guard pirogues and some seizure vessels which have been affected by the oil and we will have to now engage in cleaning them,” Jean-Baptiste said.
Several boat owners say they now have to spend thousands of dollars to clean their boats.