Armée de la République de Trinité-et-Tobago /Republic of Trinidad and Tobago armed forces

First, the minister said Griffith urgent need to purchase a training ship for naval training through the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard ( TGCT ).

He said that training should include, among other specialties, the following: Duty Officer, Operating a Vessel, Sailing, Seamanship, Equipment Operator, and System Controller (machines).  

Similarly, announced that the Ministry of National Security is proceeding to acquire two Long Range Patrol Vessels (patrol high) and, in this regard, said they are exploring all avenues to ensure that officers and sailors of TGCT are well trained and ability to operate these ships in order to obtain maximum performance.

The Griffith minister recalled that previous acquisition agreements, it was discovered that they were being purchased three ships patrol ocean (OPV) without considering the human resources required to operate such vessels. Consequently, the TTTCG was found in the position of not having a full complement of officers to properly operate the three OPV simultaneously.

With regard to the above, note that in April 2007, the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago signed a contract with VT Ship Building ( BAE Systems ) to build three patrol vessels type OPV whom were baptized Port of Spain (GC50), Scarbrough (GC51) and San Fernando (GC52). The first vessel was launched at sea in November 2009, while the other two launchings occurred in July 2010 The problems began in 2010, when it was postponed twice, delivery Port of Spain . In addition, serious problems arose with the combat system, which did not correspond to the contract specifications. Consequently, in September 2010 the Trinidadian government terminated the contract, and in February 2012, the Brazilian Navy bought three ships

Regarding the two Long Range Patrol Vessels being purchased, although note the supplier is not required, it is important to remember that during a visit to China last January, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar "convinced" his counterpart Li Keqiang to sell one of the two long-range patrols were under construction for the coastguard Asian country However, there has been no further information on the subject since then.     

Moreover, the minister noted Griffith representing the benefit for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard training received from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force during the recent visit to Trinidad for its Training Squadron ..

At the invitation of Admiral Hideki Yuasa , TGCT members sailed on ships of Training Squadron and received training on board during the trip to Kingston , Jamaica.

Griffith expressed his gratitude to the Japanese naval squadron to provide the opportunity to gain experience TGCT aboard vessels carrying high.

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