A group of hikers who were rescued by the Coast Guard after being left stranded for three hours in the dark, windy shores of Chacachacare Island are now demanding a full refund from the organisers.
They are also calling for a boycott of Adventure Seekers of T&T, the group which organised the hike last Saturday.
On its Facebook page yesterday, Adventure Seekers apologised to the patrons and promised a partial refund but their apology triggered outrage from the patrons and other people.
On the group’s Facebook page, Kern Richards said he and his girlfriend almost lost their lives. Another patron Kele Taylor said the hike was supposed to start at 5 pm but patrons were left standing from 4.45 pm to 6.15 pm as officials waited for late comers.
When they finally boarded at Crews Inn, Taylor said the boat was overcrowded.
“(There was) no safety briefing on the boat. No roll call. No issuing of life jackets. There were children on board - we were terrified,” Taylor stated.
In the midst of rough seas, the overcrowded boat began experiencing engine problems and could not berth alongside the jetty so patrons had to be lifted off.
Tiffany Dhaniram said the boat was drifting towards the rocks.
Reshma Dookhan wrote, “Throughout the entire event none of the team members communicated anything. Even when we got to the light house there was no announcements as to how long we were going to rest. I honestly felt as though we had chartered a boat and had gone to DDI (Down de Islands) by ourselves.”
Others complained that guides and first aiders were not helpful.
“Time management was an issue throughout the entire hike. We already started late, no announcements were made on arrival at the lighthouse,” Taylor wrote.
The patrons also complained that life jackets were not provided, not even to children although the sea was rough and many could not swim. Narisa Y. Mohammed said when she asked for two life jackets for her nieces she was told that they are only given in cases of emergency.
The patrons accused the Adventure Seekers of leaving them on the island until the Coast Guard came at 1 am.
Lena Montano-Bermudez said it was a Coast Guard employee who was on the hike who organised the rescue mission.
Contacted yesterday, a representative from Adventure Seekers, who only identified herself as Tinneil, said the group had been organising tours for five years.
Asked whether there were certified first aid personnel on the tours, Tenneil said yes. Asked whether patrons will be given a full refund, she said that decision has not yet been taken. Asked why patrons were not given life jackets, she said she was driving and could not answer any more questions.
Adventure Seekers responds
In an apology, Adventure Seekers said it chartered two vessels Island Prince and Island Princess for the 90 hikers but Island Prince was out on another job so everyone was allowed to board Island Princess.
“Coordinators were not informed by the captain of any issues with the Island Princess until it departed for the Chacachacare Island. We would in no way leave persons behind or simply ‘jump’ on-board another vessel knowing of mechanical issues. We can guarantee it is not a case where we knew the vessel was experiencing problems and called another,” the statement read.
“After hearing that the vessel was in distress, the captain and crew made a decision to shuttle persons already on the vessel back to Crews Inn, then to return and assist the vessel. Upon hearing this member of the Adventure Seekers group called the Coast Guard to ensure safety before our return,” the group said.
Adventure Seekers said it will be working on a compensation/package/incentive to all customers who participated.
“Details will be posted here (on Facebook) as well as patrons notified,” the group said. The hike was arranged at a cost of $200 per person and included transfers to and from the island, photography, guides and snack pack. It was supposed to last from 5 pm to 10 pm.
