The tug and barge that crashed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Monday was not anchored in a correct position, the investigation by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has found.
Director of Safety at MARAD Captain John Flores yesterday told Stabroek News that the crew members have admitted that the Panamanian-registered tug was not anchored in the correct position. He said that the investigation found that the anchor broke as a result of the strong current in the river and this resulted in the vessels drifting and subsequently crashing into the bridge. If the vessel had been positioned correctly, the mishap could have been avoided, Flores said.
The crew members made several attempts to stop the vessels from drifting but their efforts were in vain, he said. Stabroek News had previously reported that at around 12.50 on Monday morning, the tug and barge crashed into the DHB, resulting in extensive damage. The tug, a Panamanian vessel, drifted from Grove/Diamond on the East Bank Demerara and its crew belatedly issued a distress call.
The resulting damage caused a disruption to the normal follow of vehicular and marine traffic across the river forcing thousands of commuters to make use of speedboats as an alternative to get to work and school. The bridge was out of operation for a day. On Tuesday at 2pm, it was reopened to light traffic. On the completion on the realignment of the damaged bridge, it was open to laden and unladen trucks on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Flores said MARAD has officially made contact with the Panamanian authorities and the owners of the vessel and informed them of the incident. He explained that while the vessel owners were previously made aware of the mishap, they are following the necessary protocols to formally inform the authorities and the owners.
Flores disclosed that they have verified the various certifications of the vessels and all are authentic. The tug and barge are still being detained by MARAD.
Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Gen-eral Manager Rawlston Adams on Tuesday had said that the cost of the repairs will be transferred to the owners of the tug.
He had said that workers had to reconnect eight connecting posts, five sheaves, 15 shackles and 215 feet of anchor chains. The chains, he explained, were disconnected as a result of the impact when the tug and barge crashed into the bridge.
