NIDCO refutes PNM claim, says Water Taxis have insurance

The company that operates Trinidad & Tobago's Water Taxi service has refuted a claim made by the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) that the vessels are not insured. 


Senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson made the charge in the Senate on Tuesday.

In an immediate response, the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO), stated that the vessels used in the service are fully insured.

NIDCO's communications manager Ingrid Ishmael said a local broker, Comprehensive Insurance Brokers Limited, provides protection and indemnity insurance for both the hull and machinery of the four vessels used in the service.

"NIDCO operates a fleet of four 41m high speed catamarans in its Water Taxi Service (WTS) and in compliance with mandatory safety requirements, carries Insurance for its full fleet of vessels including Insurance covering both crew as well as passengers who travel with us on the Service," Ishmael said in a media release.

She added, "The Water Taxi Service reaffirms that all operations are undertaken in keeping with international safety standards."

NIDCO also pointed out that the contracts for the foreign operators have ended and NIDCO is fully responsible for the operations of the service. Ishmael stated that NIDCO will shortly be inviting public tenders "for the necessary management and technical support for its ferry operations".