A FOUR-HOUR sailing on board the Galleons Passage turned into an over-nine-hour “nightmare” for passengers from Port of Spain to Scarborough on Tuesday.

In a release yesterday, the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco) stated that during the 3 p.m. sailing of the vessel from Port of Spain, it experienced a mechanical issue that caused all engines to operate at elevated temperatures.

“As a precautionary safety measure, the vessel’s speed was reduced to approximately 11 knots. This is compared to its normal cruising speed of 15-19 knots. The journey was further extended by operational delays at both terminals, as the Galleons Passage shares berthing facilities with the Blue Wave Harmony. Technical assessments of the vessel are under way, and the matter is being closely monitored,” the company stated.