The ferries plying the Georgetown-North West route will be replaced with the government examining a number of options, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn says.
“We have committed in this new period to replace this vessel,” he told Stabroek News yesterday. The minister was asked about the calls over the years to replace the aged ferries that ply the Georgetown-North West route. The 69-year-old MV Lady Northcote and the MV Kimbia ply this route.
Over the years, the vessels have experienced a number of problems and on Saturday, the engine room of the Lady Northcote caught afire after diesel leaked from a faulty valve onto an exhaust manifold. There were no injuries and damage was minimal but the flames and smoke sparked panic among the 49 passengers. The ferry was five minutes away from the dock and the fire was brought under control by the crew and subsequently towed to the wharf.
Benn told Stabroek News that the problem in the past was financing but with the new Chinese-built ferries – which will ply the Essequibo River soon to be in operation – this will ease some of the issues. He said that government has looked at a number of options for replacing the vessels- all expensive. He said that they are looking at either a new or used vessel. “Within a year or 18 months we should have a firm position or action on it,” he added.
He said that this vessel will have to be appropriate for the purpose in terms of ferrying cargo while passenger comfort and speed are areas that he is paying attention to. Currently, the ferries take an average of 21 hours to make the run from Georgetown to the Northwest. The minister said that they are looking at one that would be able to make the trip within 12 hours. This would be one that can move at between 16 to 20 knots. The Northcote can move from Georgetown to the Northwest at a speed of between 8 to 10 knots though less on the return trip since it is moving against the current. A lot would depend on finding the appropriate vessel, Benn said.
Over the years, there have been calls for the vessels to be replaced. The MV Kimbia is a passenger and cargo vessel which is said to be one of the oldest vessels in the maritime public transport system with more than 70 years serving the Transport and Harbours Department. It is reported to have been on the waters locally since the 1940s, according to Chapter 38: Transport Development of the National Development Strategy (NDS) of 1996. The vessel, which is capable of ferrying a total of 200 passengers, has been plying the North West route for over two decades on a fortnightly basis. It is seen as an important form of transportation by residents in the North West District since it transports a variety of perishable and non-perishable goods. It has experienced a number of mechanical problems in the past.
The MV Lady Northcote has for years been one of the main means of river transportation. In February 2010, the vessel broke down at the Georgetown port and commuters with perishable items lost heavily. It has also experienced mechanical problems and there have been extensive pleadings by those who use the service for improvement of the transportation system. (Gaulbert Sutherland)
