FAILURE to produce registration documents, captain’s license and insurance were some of the reasons given for the intervention of armed Coast Guard on a glass-bottom boat during the Easter weekend at the Buccoo Marine Park.

A video went viral on social media showing an armed official comforting a crying child onboard the vessel.

A male voice can be heard in the background shouting, “So guys, this is what happen when we’re doing tourism and Coast Guard come on the boat and all their big guns – people cry. You understand? People cry. So you’re going to be on Facebook tonight.”

The man can be heard asking the Coast Guard official for his name.

“This is what is going on...We don’t know his next name, but this is what is going on here...You’re on my boat – you can be a pirate. What’s your name? You can be a pirate in Coast Guard uniform, because you don’t even have your Coast Guard badge on you.

“He’s not giving us his name.

“This is what is going on in Tobago. In Tobago, they can board your boat and do what they want and they’re not giving you their name.”

In a press release on Wednesday, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development defended the officials’ actions while apologising for the inconvenience patrons faced.

The release said a joint patrol from the division and the Coast Guard was carried out to ensure visitor safety and protect the marine eco-system. It noted that while patrolling the area, the team encountered a vessel registered as TL504, which had previously been warned multiple times for not complying with park regulations.

It said despite these warnings, the vessel’s captain failed to produce essential documentation, including vessel registration, his captain’s licence and insurance, and the vessel appeared to be carrying more passengers than its legal capacity.

“As safety is our utmost priority, and in light of the repeated non-compliance with regulations, the Coast Guard officers were left with no choice but to board TL504 and escort it back to the Buccoo Jetty.”

The division said it understands that this may have inconvenienced passengers, and as a result, it sincerely apologised for any disruption caused.

“However, it is crucial to emphasise that the actions taken were necessary to ensure the safety of all visitors and to uphold the park regulation. The Easter joint patrol operation was largely successful, with the majority of vessel operators complying with regulations.”

It urged all vessel operators to adhere to park regulations, maintain proper documentation, and prioritise passenger safety.

It also said the joint patrol team remains committed to diligent monitoring of the park and will take appropriate action when necessary to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for all.

Newsday contacted the boat captain, only known as ‘Mr Phillips’, as well as PRO of the Buccoo Reef Tour Operators Association, Michael Frank. Both declined to comment. ACP Tobago Collis Hazel said he had no knowl