Several men attempted to board a support vessel at the wreck site of the Gulfstream barge at Sea Lots, Port of Spain, on Friday night.
There was an exchange of gunfire between the men and Coast Guard officers, resulting in a member of the Coast Guard being injured.
The Ministry of Energy confirmed yesterday “there was an attempted unauthorised boarding of a support vessel by unidentified individuals located at the wreck site of the Gulfstream at Sea Lots, Port of Spain, (Friday) night. Officers attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard were on-site and intervened.
“There was an exchange of gunfire, and one member of the response crew sustained a non-life-threatening injury and is currently receiving medical attention.”
The Gulfstream, which capsized off the Cove coast in Tobago and caused a massive oil spill in February, was towed to Sea Lots on Thursday.
The ministry advised the public that the wreck site of the Gulfstream at Sea Lots “continues to be protected by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), and that the safety of all response personnel remains paramount during the final stages of this operation”.
The energy ministry said it is working with the ministry of National Security, the TTPS, TTCG and Trinidad and Tobago Regiment to ensure the safety and security of the site.