Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Thursday embarked on a maritime journey, spending an entire night aboard the TTS Scarborough, one of the nation’s Cape-class patrol vessels.
His journey began at the Coast Guard base located in Staubles Bay.
Navigating key territorial waters
Covering significant stretches of the country’s maritime territory, Dr. Rowley’s 15-hour patrol spanned the Gulf of Paria, the South Coast Columbus Channel, and the East Coast of Trinidad.
The patrol route extended up to Scarborough, passing through the East Coast of Tobago and Charlottville.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were notable figures including the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, and Acting CDS Group Captain Kemba Hannays.
Spotlight on the TTS Scarborough
The TTS Scarborough, commissioned in 2021, represents one of two Cape Class Patrol Boats that bolster the Coast Guard’s efforts in fortifying the country’s border protection.
These vessels, which graced Trinidad and Tobago’s shores in July 2021, play a crucial role in enhancing maritime security.
Technical prowess of the Cape Class boats
These state-of-the-art patrol boats boast an impressive range of 3,000 nautical miles when cruising at an economical speed of 12 Knots.
With their endurance, they can sustain patrols lasting up to 28 days, accommodating a crew of as many as 27 individuals. Additionally, these vessels can reach top speeds exceeding 20 Knots.
A standout feature includes their two high-speed 7.3-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), versatile assets that can be deployed in various missions.
