The TTPS is cautioning against the use of unlicensed inter-island boat services for Tobago Carnival.
It follows advertisements on social media and other platforms, promoting transport between Trinidad and Tobago by small craft.
The TTPS warns that using small craft for commercial passenger charters without the required licences and safety certification is a breach of the Motor Launches Act, Chapter 50:08 and the Shipping (Local Passenger Ships) Safety Regulations.
It outlines these as follows:
Motor Launches Act, Chapter 50:08 – Unlicensed vessel operation (Section 9(a)): Operating a motor launch to carry passengers without a valid vessel licence issued by the Harbour Master is an offence. Unlicensed crew (Sections 8(1) and 9(b)): Employing a captain or engineer who does not hold a valid licence or Certificate of Competency issued by the Board of Examiners is an offence. Excess passenger capacity (Section 9(c)): A vessel’s legal passenger capacity is not set by the operator or promoter. It is calculated by a marine surveyor, based on the vessel’s structure, clear space per passenger and available seating. Carrying more passengers than the surveyed capacity is a summary offence.
Penalties (Sections 11 and 14): Under Section 11, as amended by Section 12 of the Finance Act 2026, each breach carries a fine of $7,500 on summary conviction. Section 14 also empowers the court to suspend licences and disqualify persons from operating vessels.
Shipping (Local Passenger Ships) Safety Regulations – No safety certificate (Regulation 13(1)): Services marketed to carry a set number of passengers fall under the stricter requirements for local passenger ships. Operating without a valid safety certificate is a serious breach. Manifests and reporting (Regulations 12(b), 12(c) and 13(2)): Operators must keep official passenger and crew manifests and logbooks, and must submit passenger counts to the Maritime Services Division and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard before departure.
Penalties: Breaches of these safety regulations are high-risk offences, carrying maximum penalties of up to $150,000 and ten years’ imprisonment.
The TTPS also warns of the dangers of using unlicensed and ill-equipped vessels.
It says, “The channel between Toco and Tobago is open sea, with strong swells and unpredictable currents. The vessels in these advertisements appear to be open or partially decked craft. They lack the stability and twin-engine backup needed for safe commercial passage across open water. Inadequate safety equipment: Under Regulation 5, commercial launches must carry certified bilge pumps, anchors, fire extinguishers and the required number of approved lifebuoys and lifejackets. Unregulated vessels rarely meet these standards. No record, no rescue trail: When no manifest is filed with the Coast Guard, nobody officially knows who is on board or where the vessel is. If something goes wrong at sea, this seriously hampers search and rescue efforts.”
Promoters and operators are being urged to familiarise themselves with the law governing passenger transport by sea, while members of the public are asked to seek clear answers regarding a vessel’s licence and safety certification.
