Police conducts a training session with Carli Bay Fishers at Couva

Officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police’s Coastal and Riverine Patrol Unit conducted a training session with the Carli Bay Fisher Folk at the fishing Depot in Carli Bay, Couva.

The training focused on ensuring that the fishermen are aware of safety measures that can assist with saving their lives during difficult times at sea. The training became necessary following the murder of two fishermen due to piracy.

Inspector Harold Taitt of the Coastal and Riverine Patrol Unit said the goal was to partner with the fishermen to ensure their safety and security while plying their trade. He said the meeting today came about because of the number of complaints that were asked by the President of the Carli Bay Fishing Association, Imtiaz Khan, to the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, and the executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

The fishermen were exposed to training as it related to safety in and out of the boats, the proper utilization of the life jackets and their importance in saving lives and the use of flares to assist with them being located at sea.

Imtiaz Khan explained that the initiative was a much-needed one as it is a good step in the right direction. He looks forward to the continued training from the police officers.

The training session by the coast guards officials was necessary as the sea and the ocean have become due to the tropical storm grace. All fishermen participated in the session with great enthusiasm as they had so much to learn from it, including using a flare in case of help, wearing life jackets and more.