00:00The destruction of the equipment at Pigeon Point is similar to what went on with the water wells in Tobago
00:08a few months ago.
00:09And if the perpetrators of this crime are caught, they should be banned from any activity to do with the
00:17marine space in Tobago.
00:20They should be charged to the full extent of the law.
00:25President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, Reginald McLean, as he spoke with TV6 News.
00:32According to the THA, following the tragic jet ski accident in April of 2026 at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park,
00:41the Chief Secretary Farley Augustine directed Assembly Member Zorisha Hackett, Secretary of Tourism,
00:47and the Board of Directors of PPHP to take immediate steps to strengthen safety measures
00:54and improve the demarcation of designated bathing areas at PPHP, Storbe Beach Facility and the Buku Beach Facility.
01:05On 13 April 2026, approximately 900 feet of temporary oil buoys were installed at PPHP to delineate the bathing areas
01:17and the installation was secured using 19 Danforth high-efficiency marine anchors and chains
01:25pending the purchase and installation of a permanent system.
01:29However, as early as 15 April 2026, sections of the barriers were observed washing ashore.
01:37Subsequent investigations revealed that two securing anchors had been removed.
01:43By 13 April 2026, it was observed that all 19 anchors were missing.
01:49Despite the setbacks, between the 13th and 17th of October 2026,
01:56work proceeded on the installation of a new permanent bathing area demarcation system
02:02at PPHP, Buku Beach Facility and Storbe Beach Facility.
02:08More than 1,500 feet of buoys were installed across the facilities,
02:13representing an investment of $400,000 towards improving the safety of beachgoers.
02:22On 19 October 2026, while installation works were still ongoing,
02:27it was observed that approximately 30 feet of rope and five newly installed buoys
02:34had been cut and removed from the main bathing area at PPHP.
02:40The incidents have been reported to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
02:45Reginald McLean has called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
02:50We have issues in the marine space and the government is trying to,
02:55through the THAA, is trying to fix these issues.
02:58And these issues cannot be fixed if people are constantly taking apart
03:03the items that are put in place to protect the people that are here to enjoy the space.
03:11So all of Tobago should be deeply disturbed by this
03:15and hopefully the perpetrators of this crime can be brought to justice.
03:21Meantime, reef tour operator and the president of the Staw Bay Reef Tour Association,
03:27Michael Frank, told the TV6 News this should serve as a wake-up call
03:32to install the necessary surveillance systems.
03:35I hope it serves as a wake-up call to THAA and the people to put surveillance system in place
03:42so things like this would not happen.
03:44It's too easy for people to come from waiting for them to steal anything.
03:48Maybe boat engine, maybe boat, maybe the buoys, anything.
03:52And until they put surveillance system in place,
03:55things like this are going to happen.
03:56So I hope it serves as a wake-up call for them to know that things have to be done.
04:00The country is a developing country and you need to put things to protect the environment and the people.
04:05Chief Secretary Fali Augustin described the vandalism as a blatant disregard for public safety
04:12and the substantial investment being made to improve safety at Tobago's beaches.
04:18He stressed that such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
04:24The Office of the Chief Secretary strongly condemned the repeated theft of and damage
04:30to marine safety equipment at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park.
04:34Anyone with information is urged to contact the TTBS.
04:39Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
