-ship owner liable
An estimate of two days has been given for the completion of repairs to the Demerara Harbour Bridge following a collision on Tuesday morning at about 4.
A vessel, the Princess Anisa, drifted into the bridge while the crew was resting and caused major damage to the anchorage system at spans 41 and 42, a Ministry of Public Works release informed.
The bridge has sustained significant damage to the anchorage system at spans 41 and 42, including anchor chains, wire ropes, chord bolts, and minor abrasions to pontoons 41.2 and 42.1.
The vessel is owned by INS Shipping located at Lot 50 Good Intent, West Bank, Demerara, and according to the release the total estimated cost of the damage done is $5.5 million. The owner, the release says, will be held accountable by compensating for all damage resulting from the incident.
According to the captain and crew members of the vessel, the vessel loaded with rice, dropped anchor at 00:00 hours at Versailles and the crew went to rest. Unknowing to them, the vessel drifted into the bridge.
Traffic flow was not interrupted on Tuesday and corrective maintenance work immediately commenced, with an estimated time of two days to complete all repairs.
Grave concern has been expressed at the frequency with which these incidents are occurring.
