Caribbean Yacht Security: New protocols and arrangements for your safety when transiting near Trinidad and Tobago
News Intro
Following the boarding of two yachts on two separate occasions in December on passage from Grenada to Trinidad, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and YSATT have been working hard to ensure the safe passage of leisure vessels in their waters. To this end, the Coastguard would like to encourage all skippers making a passage between Trinidad and any neighbouring country – especially if passing near the Trinidad/Venezuelan Maritime Boundary – to submit a Float Plan.
News Item Content
Float Plans have made a great impact on the Coastguard’s ability to provide security coverage for vessels traveling into and out of Trinidad & Tobago waters, especially along the Trinidad/Venezuela Maritime Boundary.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coastguard have intensified their patrols along this border and continue to show a presence in the area even when there are no scheduled Float Plans, as they hope that their continued presence and visibility in the area will act as a deterrent to any persons wishing to utilize the area for illicit purposes.
The Coastguard has also partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard (TTAG) who have been providing some much-needed air support for the ongoing security operations. Additionally, they have instituted hourly communications checks with vessels while they are making the transit. These checks are conducted by the TTCG Net Control Station over VHF Ch16, and allow the Coastguard to reassure the crews of the vessels that they are monitoring their journey and are standing by to render assistance if necessary. However, due to the lack of security over the open VHF network, they do not ask for positions unless they require them for a specific purpose (e.g. to render assistance etc.)
In order to make the Coastguard more efficient in responding to Float Plans, they have decided to activate a dedicated email address for this purpose. This email address will be checked multiple times per day and will act as an online archive of all Float Plans forwarded to them for their attention.
Anyone wishing to make the journey between Trinidad and any neighboring country – especially if they intend to pass near the Trinidad/Venezuelan Maritime Boundary, should submit a Float Plan as follows:
Float Plans can be sent to the TTCG Operations Department via the following means:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax : 1 (868) 634-4944
Ph : 1 (868) 634-1476/ 634-8824 (TTCG)
Vessels can contact TTCG Control on VHF Ch16 to inform of their departure/arrival.
Vessels in transit can listen on VHF Ch16 for hourly contact with TTCG Control.
Yacht Services Association of Trinidad & Tobago: http://www.ysatt.org/
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Few tips to sailors approaching or leaving Trinidad. Don't use the south entrance into the Gulf of Paria if you're coming from East, come in between Tobago and Trinidad, then enter the first most Easterly Bocas and head into Chaguaramas. If you're coming from North ( Grenada ) keep east so you can enter the East Bocas, don't let the current push your boat West so you end up entering the Bocas having a border to Venezuela.