Lifeguard patroli on ATV

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Fishermen were up to late last night counting their losses after several boats were destroyed and damaged in Tobago by huge waves which continue to pound the country.

Damage was expected to run into millions of dollars.

Allan Stewart, assistant coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) in Tobago, told the Express that waves from 15 - 20 feet high continue to lash the shore, reaching as far as the roads in some areas.

Beaches from Store Bay to Parlatuvier Bay remained closed until further notice, because of the conditions.

"We had a number of boats and pirogues that were damaged and destroyed in the Mount Irvine, Black Rock and Plymouth coasts," he explained.

The wall of a private property in the Black Rock area belonging to Lorraine Brooks was also washed out to sea, Stewart said.

"The wall which was adjacent to the sea was totally washed away leaving the swimming pool open to the sea," he added.

Stewart said a value could not be placed on the losses as yet but it could range in the millions.

And at north coast beaches in Trinidad as waves more than 10 feet high continued to pound the beaches a Lifeguard Patrol Captain said Government should have closed the beaches.

Up to late yesterday the huge waves continued to come in land reaching past the lifeguard towers at Maracas, Tyrico and Las Cuevas beaches.

Parts of the nearby water, which are usually light in colour, bore a deep blue as the waves continued to plunge and remove the sand.

Mukesh Jodhan explained that lifeguards have no authority to remove people from the beaches, but could only give caution and advise.

"This morning the conditions of the water did not change," he said.

"Lifeguards keep warning members of the public to be very cautious about venturing into the water. Some people listen but others don't, especially when they drink alcohol."

Tyrico Bay camper, Vena Lutchman said the waves became "very rough" in the wee hours of yesterday morning causing her group and other campers to flee their campsites.

"The night started out normal we even helped a Leatherback Turtle return to the water after she laid her eggs. But then after 2 this morning (Friday) the waves were very loud as they crashed and the water started coming into our tent. It was very frightful," she said.

"The beach, river and road were like one. You could not see anything because the water was everywhere. It reached as far as the road by the Tyrico Bay sign."

Her group moved to higher ground just before the entrance to Tyrico Bay.

Fourteen lifeguards, 12 trainees and two patrol captains kept a constant watch over both Tyrico and Maracas Bays.

As one lifeguard patrolled the area on an ATV, two jet skis and two ambulances were on stand by in case of any emergency. Police and fire officials were also seen monitoring the beach and campsite areas.

Some people headed into the water, not heeding the red flags - which were placed throughout the beaches - but the majority of Trinidadians and tourists soaked in the sand. Those close to the shoreline kept moving in land as the waves came in further after noon.

At Las Cuevas Beach the story was not different, the waves continued to pound the shores. Campers were also forced to leave the lower area and head for higher ground early yesterday morning.

Bathers were disappointed but surfers were in their glee heading out to the rough seas to catch their ultimate waves.

"We are here to ensure that people do not go far into the water but we cannot stop them, we can only advise them," explained trainee lifeguard Sheldon Francis.

As high tide came in the group of 12 lifeguards patrolled the beach, cautioning bathers. Again some took their advice but others insisted on staying in the water.

with reporting by Elizabeth W Allard