The ferry MV Torani ran aground between Hog Island and Wakenaam, Essequibo River yesterday morning after an engine failure.
According to passenger David Ali, they had already been delayed by five hours before leaving the Parika stelling, East Bank Essequibo to head to Supenaam, when the vessel started to reverse in the Essequibo River.
It eventually ran aground in some bushes between Hog Island and Wakenaam, and passengers were told that they would have to take another vessel to their destination.
Minister of Transport Robeson Benn told Stabroek News that he had received reports from the MV Torani’s crew that the vessel had lost an engine and had experienced generator difficulties. The MV Malali was subsequently called in to tow the vessel to the Supenaam stelling, where it was repaired by the engineers and it later resumed operation.
At the time of the incident, the vessel was loaded to capacity with vehicles and passengers.
Ali said he spent the entire night at the Parika stelling, awaiting the departure of the vessel, which was supposed to leave at 5am yesterday morning. He added that before the vessel left the stelling, it encountered some mechanical difficulties with the engine, which delayed it. He said that he knew something was amiss with the vessel because it was spinning at the stelling area for some four hours and only departed Parika at around 10am.
“The captain didn’t tell us anything as yet all dem say is that the boat can’t go anymore and we have to come out,” he remarked afterward.
