Safety at sea remains a major concern in the Tobago community, following the rescue of two fishermen – Albert James and Junior Thorne – who were missing at sea for four days.

The search utilised considerable resources and became an international effort with authorities in Venezuela and Grenada asked to help.

Among the local stakeholders involved were the Air Guard, Coast Guard, the Tobago Emergency Management Agency, the All-Tobago Fisherfolk Association (ATFA), and volunteers with drones.

The men set out early on February 11 to set their fishing pots in the waters off Pigeon Point but did not make it home. Newsday understands that the pirogue's engine began to give problems and left them stalled.

They were found on February 15 significantly dehydrated and taken to the Scarborough General Hospital for treatment.

Head of the All-Tobago Fishing Association (ATFA) Curtis Douglas said the island's fishermen should be equipped with GPS (Geographic Positioning System) tracking and wireless radio sets.

Speaking with Newsday, Douglas said, “What is important and pertinent for fishermen is called a tracking device and a device that you can communicate with, along with a satellite phone. I’m not saying that the tracking device is not important, but (with) these items, your family member would be able to track directly where you are and find you.”

He explained why the tracking devices were important.

“Sometimes, one man has GPS, and you may find four or five boats may go out using that coordinate. The GPS is good, but with the tracking device, you can’t miss it. So as you go missing, we can trail you wherever you are. With GPS, you’ll have to send the coordinates with the hope that they’ll find you.

"The tracker is a more reliable way of the safety network within the fishing industry.”

He recalled previous pilot projects hosted by both the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the government which enabled fishermen with these devices.

“You see when you’re doing a project, once you don’t have the right ingredients it’s going to fail. You cannot single out your friends when you are going to do something. Under ATFA, whether we like you or not, once you are entitled you would be incorporated, but when you want to segregate and single out people…

"We need to work hand in hand.”

Head of the Parlatuvier Fishing Association Darlington Chance said in his group there are 30 registered fishermen, 20 have their own vessels, and half of them are equipped with a GPS device.

[caption id="attachment_1140482" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Tobago fisherman Albert James, centre, who was rescued at sea, is helped to shore by his daughter and an unidentified man at Pigeon Point on February 15. - Photo courtesy TEMA[/caption]

“Those with 28- and 24-footers, they more use their GPS for fish-finders. They put down markers and then they use the GPS to get coordinates to know where their traps are.”

The idea of GPS mappers came to the fore previously.

“Some of the fishermen don’t want that on their boats, because so