$53M for boat that never sailed ... only junk dealers willing to buy it

The Manning PNM government has left the present administration with a multimillion dollar problem - a boat named the MV Su, which it bought for $25 million through the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO).

The SU was meant to be a water taxi but was in no shape to sail, so it had to be repaired. So far that has cost another $27 million. And the latest word is that the SU will sink if it attempts the short voyage from Chaguaramas to the Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain.

All this is reported in the Trinidad Express based on a tour of the vessel the paper made with Transport Minister Devant Maharaj, who said it is costing the present government about $67,000 a month to keep the Su at the Inter Isle Construction Co Ltd dockyard in Chaguaramas.

The MV Su is part of a fleet of vessels that the previous governments bought for the water taxi service, none of which is in use today. The Manning government paid $36 million to buy three other used vessels—HC Katia, HC Olivia and HC Milancia.

All the ships are for sale but no one is interested in buying what appears to be derelict vessels. The best offer so far is from junk dealers who are willing to pay just around a half a million dollars for the SU.

Maharaj told the media the three vessels were in service as water taxis from December 2008 to September 2010. Maintenance cost for them has been of nearly $10 million, with the overall sum of $100 being spend on the four boats.

It reported that it was supposed to be a functioning water taxi capable of transporting 600 people. The paper reported that the vessel is rusting and derelict.

The Express gave a breakdown on costs associated with the SU. It said the government paid $4.1 million to transport it from Turkey to St Thomas and another $3 million to tow it from St Thomas to Curacao for repairs.

• $1.3 million to S.E.L Maduro and Sons for repairs
• $1.1 million to N.V. Curacaose Dok Maatshappi for more repairs.
• $1.2 million to a company, D. Hughes, for stainless steel sea water pipe removal work

A flag for the ship cost $4,324.

The Works and Transport Minister at the time, Colm Imbert, told the Express he had nothing to do with its purchase. 

He pointed the paper to ex PNM MP and former minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Roger Joseph, who he said went to Turkey and conducted all transactions.