This is hard to believe!!!

[Deeks]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news3.html

GOVERNMENT’S Aeros 40b Sky dragon “blimp” had not been tested in local atmospheric conditions prior to its acquisition, since it did not have the range to fly to T&T from California USA, under its own power National Security Minister Martin Joseph said yesterday.

Replying to a Opposition question, Joseph said:

“Additionally, transporting it to T&T for pre-testing would have entailed significant logistical challenges and additional expense, including disassembly, freighting, re-assembly and testing.”

“The process would have had to be repeated when the airship was returned to its California home base,” Joseph added.

Joseph said the performance of the Aeros Sky Dragon was inadequate, as the local humidity of T&T affected its “Fly By the Wire” system.

He said that was an integral part of the airship’s avionics.

“The Aeros Skydragon relies on a sophisticated computerised system. The moisture caused by the humidity intruded into the airship’s hardware, negatively impacting on its operations,”

Joseph said the Skyship 600, however, was given an extensive trial, pre-purchase. The craft did not suffer ill effects from the local atmosphere.

Opposition UNC MP Subhas Panday, who said it was shameful that the airship was purchased without being tested, asked if the same would apply to the purchase of gunships which Government is buying.

Joseph said this was unlikely.
 

[capodetutticapi]

wuh the gunships for,to protect flying fish in tobago.

[kounty]

ahm....maybe befor I spend all these millioins buying the blimp maybe I could get you to test it in a humid climate jus like mine that's near you...like louisiana. 

[D.H.W]

wuh the gunships for,to protect flying fish in tobago.

Drug trade

$313 million for six new Coast Guard ships
Joel Julien jjulien@trinidadexpress.com

NATIONAL Security Minister Martin Joseph yesterday revealed that the six fast patrol vessels, which are expected to assist in securing the country's coastline and the eradication of the drug trade, will cost just under $313 million.

Responding to a question in the Senate, Joseph said an additional figure of over $78 million was also included to the cost for a five-year maintenance of the vessels and training for Coast Guard personnel.

Joseph said the three contracts to Australian firm, Austal Ships PTY, would cost a total of $390.76 million.

In the meantime, two interim patrol vessels are said to have been acquired and are being outfitted for military use at a local marine service company.

In response to a supplemental question by Senator Wade Mark, Joseph revealed that Captain Inniss, of the United States Navy, who was involved in the acquisition of the OPVs, was the independent procurement consultant in the purchase of the fast patrol boats.

The consultant was among several experienced senior officials that formed an evaluation committee, which sifted through final proposals submitted by seven manufacturers.
   
'Vessels can put dent in illegal arms, drug trade'




Construction has begun on the first Off Shore Patrol Vessel (OPV), which National Security Minister Martin Joseph hopes will put a dent in the illegal drug and arms trade.

The vessel is one of three that will be used by the Coast Guard to patrol local shores.

"The construction of the OPVs will provide a major boost for the Coast Guard, which plays a vital role in securing the territorial waters and coastline of the country to combat the importation of illegal drugs and arms ammunition into the country," Joseph said at the steel-cutting ceremony, which took place at the VT Shipbuilding Yard in Portsmouth Naval Base in England.

The steel-cutting was performed by Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to England, Glenda Morean-Phillips, accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Jennifer Boucaud-Blake.
   
Company site:
Austal Leading the World in the Design and Construction of Customised Aluminium Commercial and Defence Vessels

http://www.austal.com/

[weary1969]

All yuh eh remember back in d day dem fellas send peeps 2 buy a boat in Venezuela and nobody could not speak spanish. D 1st fast ferry that came in d 90's was a hovercraft and man used 2 come straight off d boat and had 2 go Scarborough General.

Dat is d way we do buziness in sweet TNT

[Bourbon]

If was up to me though.....i woulda buy a submarine. Have that sub patrolling between here and venuzuela with a coast guard high speed cutter in full identification marks....flags and everything. Any boat found within that area will be commanded to stop and let the coast guard board and search. Since all flags and emblems clearly identified...they cant say they thought was pirates. If the boat doh want to stop...torpedo to hull. And dahs jus one idea.