-rams other vessel while leaving
Even as calls are being made for the aged vessel to be replaced, the T&HD ferry, MV Kimbia departed Port Georgetown for the North West yesterday afternoon following a four-hour delay with hundreds of disgruntled passengers some of whom fought feverishly for space.
When this newspaper arrived at the Kingston wharf shortly before 4 pm yesterday, dozens of passengers were waiting in a bond leading to the vessel, even as the vessel was being loaded with empty crates used by hucksters. According to the passengers, the delay in the departure was related to T&HD staff requiring additional time to load the vessel. Stabroek News was unable to verify whether that report was true.
Passengers searching for space on board the MV Kimbia prior to departure yesterday
One dissatisfied passenger told this newspaper that he and his family were expecting to travel to the North West on Thursday, as per schedule, but he was informed on the way to Georgetown from the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, where he stayed with relatives, that the vessel would have been departing for the North West on Friday. As the man spoke to Stabroek News, passengers scrambled aboard with their belongings as the door from the waiting area was opened for them. Persons could be heard screaming and yelling, some requesting those in front of them to offer them a chance to enter the vessel. One senior citizen, who waited until the pushing and tugging subsided, told this newspaper that the authorities should urgently devise a better plan for passengers who travel to the North West on the ferry, noting that the vessel should not carry more passengers than the rated capacity.
On board the vessel, shortly after 4 pm yesterday, passengers pushed their way into the passenger area located on the lower deck of the ferry. As this reporter entered that section of the ferry, persons scrambled for whatever space was available for them to occupy. At the back of the vessel, close to the washroom area, families spread pieces of foam on the floor as a number of children, some sleeping amidst the strong stench emanating from the washroom area, watched and assisted their relatives in finding space to rest their luggage.
The moment of impact when the MV Kimbia collided with another, MV Kaituma prior to departure
It was clear to any observer at this time, that the vessel was packed beyond capacity even as dozens of passengers continued to enter the vessel. On the upper deck, persons slung their hammocks on whatever surface was available while some passengers complained of the stench emanating from the washroom.
Shortly before 5 pm, as passengers began to settle on the already cramped vessel, persons entered with a casket bearing a deceased relative which was placed close to the hatch (cargo area). At the same time, while risking the safety of those entering and exiting the ferry, the vessel was being loaded with empty crates, which were being lifted into the air from the wharf and placed close to the hatch, even as persons traversed the area directly below where the crates were being hoisted.
Passengers waiting their turn before boarding the ferry yesterday afternoon.
Finally, around 5 pm, the MV Kimbia departed the wharf but not before slamming into the back of another vessel which was moored at another wharf located behind the MV Kimbia at the time. Persons on the Kingston wharf were left in awe, with some, including T&HD’s General Manager Yurlander Hughes, who asked of their colleagues on the wharf, whether they had witnessed what had occurred. Fortunately, the vessels did not sustain much damage.
Soon after, the ferry sailed out of the Demerara River for the Atlantic, with some T&HD staff noting that the vessel was travelling on one engine. Stabroek News was unable to determine how accurate this information was. However, a T&HD staffer working on the Kingston wharf told this newspaper that the vessel was indeed travelling on one engine, noting that the engine on the left side of the vessel was not, ’kicking up water’. He said persons on board the vessel would ’have to hope that the boat reach (on schedule) tomorrow’.
Earlier, Stabroek News caught up with a former captain of a village in the Mabaruma Sub-Region, and, speaking on the condition of anonymity, he related that the administration had promised North West residents, while campaigning in the 1992 elections, a new vessel. He said that whenever passengers board the MV Kimbia, especially during holiday seasons, they are forced to ‘rush into the ferry’, since he noted, not much space is usually available on the MV Kimbia during this time. The man said that one has to look at the latter from a safety perspective, since, he noted, if the vessel is to encounter an emergency at sea, moreso while in the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean at night, one can expect a number of fatalities since the lifeguard boats on board the MV Kimbia cannot accommodate the number of passengers who boarded the ferry yesterday.
The MV Kimbia shortly after leaving Port Georgetown yesterday.
He said there is a procedure where preference is given to senior citizens and women with children to board the vessel before the other passengers. He noted however, that this procedure does not meet its objective, since shortly after the doors are reopened for other passengers to board the ferry, persons, ’run into the boat as if you loose some pigs out of a pen’.
The man noted that one cannot blame the passengers for forcing their way into the ferry since much space is not usually available on board during this time. He said the ferry has a seating capacity for 80 persons, noting that in total it is only required to carry 200 persons. The man said the T&HD continues to print a number of tickets exceeding this number.
Passengers scrambling for space on board the MV Kimbia prior to departure yesterday
This newspaper had been reporting on conditions on board the MV Kimbia as well as the status of the vessel itself. On its last return trip to Georgetown from Kumaka in the North West several weeks ago, the vessel limped along to the city on one engine, taking up an extra day; after the engine became inoperable several hours after the ferry departed the interior port. A passenger had recounted the trip to Georgetown, stating that it was a nightmare. This newspaper had contacted Transport Minister Robeson Benn on the issue, and he assured that a statement on the status of the MV Kimbia would have been released to the media. However, to date this newspaper has not received such information, even though a report on the statement appeared in the Guyana Times.
Pure incompetence on behalf of the authorities, I do hope it never happens but this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
I hope no blogger says the people have a choice because they do not have a choice. The only other way to the North West is by flying or speedboat and these poor people cannot afford it.
One of these days disaster will certainly strike and the excuses will be trotted out. This is callousness to an extreme. We are dealing with people held hostage by a government supported by one group of citizens refusing to change the way they vote and thereby imposing severe hardships on the other segments of the population.
Well BORAPOKE that segment of the population that allegedly going through hardships believe they own Guyana and no one else should be in power so they cry foul as soon as the breeze blows hard…They are looking out for everything free from this government…How do you please everyone is a different story???
I totally with you when will it all end,come on
No one is looking for anything free from your government except for your government ministers themselves. Like Rawberties Persaid who sold his house and is now living in Hermandston annexe. This costs the tax payer 3000 USD per month.
All the free prados and free flights to destinations around the world by the commandeer that is freeness to the highest extent. The man is out of the country 42 percent of the time.
When you want to address freeness that is what you have to talk about solideer.
The MV Kimbia is a disaster waiting to happen, that’s all i’m going to say on this issue.
Since in the mid 1980’s, when I starterd secondary school in GT, this nonsense was going on. I remember travelling fron Vree-enHoop to GT on the ferry and feeling so sorry for the North West people trying to get on which ever boat THD would use for the trip.
Now in 2009, I see the same thing, who is sleeping so spoundly or who so blind that they cant see a more efficient solution is needed.
W.C.D.People: it’s the pnc and afc fault. Ask Reddy in Barbados, coolieman and company.
Pim Pim one day one day this bucket bottom will drop out and the results would not be very good.So the Persons in charge of this ferry service do something before it is too late.
I MADE THAT TRIP IN 1986. IT WAS A TRIP THEN AND IS A TRIP NOW. THE GUYANA GOVERNMENT (NOTE. I DID NOT SAY THE PPP GOV.)I SAID GUYANA GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR _ _ _ AND GET A NEW MODERN FASTER BOAT AND MAKE WEEKLY TRIPS. IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF IN TIME. I DO NOT WANT TO READ/HEAR IF I DID ONLY KNOW,
IT IS TIME TO ACT NOW. THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE CALLED UPON TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND PUT IN THEIR LOTS HERE AFTER ALL THEY WERE THE ONES THAT PUT GUYANA IN THIS MESS SINCE THE 60,S.
17 years of great progress, when we can buy a fleet of Prado’s at 50 thousand US dollars a pop but we cannot replace a ferry that serves the people of Guyana vs. a few no good ministers you have to know the PPP is bankrupt of ideas and they dont give a damn about the average man out there.
When Jagdoe can fly out the country every weekend at 60K USD per trip and he has all his cheylas wid him instead of spending that money to purchase new ferries what does this tell you man?
17 years what has the PPP done, you have to keep asking yourself this very simple question my people.
It is clear that you very innemic in measuring progress Samaroo, or you would not have been asking these foolish questions all the time,,,Who will have time and space to post all the achievements of the PPP in 17 years??? You can only see for yourself if you pull the black cloth off your eyes when you visit Guyana and stop with this little political campaign attitude…Your time will come for you to convince Guyanese that your visionless AFC has and can make better progress in Guyana with your Ministers using Donkey Carts for transportation and live in mud houses…
We can even afford to lend Buddy’s tax payers money to finish
his hotel and buy spy equipment, but we can’t afford a ferry
boat for the same tax payers in the country Brandon.
i don`t think the big man is loosing sleep over this. after all he can go on his regular excurcion with the tax payers money flying bring wat just promises. maybe if he had a family of his own ,just maybe, he would have lose some sleep over this floating embarrassment.
These are the thing we are supposed to be considering when we cast our ballots. Long lines at the license office, arrogant people at the government offices, long waiting at traffic light, boats that are overdue to be sent to the scrap yard, over priced government contracts in which a handful of people enrich themselves beyond your wildest dream even as poor families fight to put a decent meal on their tables, pot hole road, brown water flowing through your taps if any at all. Its all part of the electoral promise to run the country in a effective manner. This country will only get better when we start demanding better at the ballot boxes instead of throwing away our votes behind idiots who can’t manage their way out of a wet paper bag.
Bryan how do we get these people in Guyana to wake up and smell the roses my friend?
Love your pics budday.
SN your pictures are worth more than a thousand words. It doesn’t matter if this vessel was operating on two engines; your description of the overcrowding and deplorable conditions on board this vessel speaks volume of T&HD putting profits ahead of passengers safety.
I hope the relevant authorities are taking notes.Prevention is better than cure.
when u have over load the centre of gravity becomes unstable above the waterline-disaster is bound to happen
for boats to be stable the weight needs to below hence the weight acts like a pendulium to balance it off
with one engine operating-worst will happen
if the one engine operation fails may god be with them