-crew rescued
A fishing boat collided with the North-West passenger ferry, MV Barima, on Wednesday night and sank but no one was injured.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn confirmed the incident last night and indicated that an investigation has commenced. He said the authorities have questioned those involved and have taken statements.
It was not clear how the incident occurred but it was dark at the time. This newspaper was told that the Barima had left Georgetown on Wednesday afternoon for Port Kaituma and sometime on Wednesday night, collided with the fishing boat, ‘Regina’.
The crew members of the fishing boat were rescued and the Barima proceeded on its way.
Concerns have previously been raised about the vessels plying the North West route. Poor operational conditions were cited as the main issue affecting travel.
There was an engine failure on the MV Kimbia recently and prior to that complaints were raised about inordinate delays.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Works and Communication announced that with assistance from the Chinese Government, it was working to acquire two new vessels, one of which will replace the MV Kimbia.
Stabroek News has been reporting on the conditions experienced by passengers who utilize the services of the MV Kimbia; some persons called for the vessel to be replaced, stating that it has outlived its usefulness.
A regional official in the Mabaruma Sub-Region told this newspaper yesterday that there had been complaints by passengers from the North West about conditions they were forced to endure during voyages to and from the Capital City. He said the Public Works Ministry has been working to find a solution to improve the ferry service and according to the official, news of the acquisition of a new vessel will be greatly welcomed by North West residents.
Any improvements, no matter how insignificant would be welcomed by the people forced to endure this voyage. This is a disgraceful way to treat the paying public. I shudder to think of the bad impression a visitor gets of the country, based on the cattle like manner in which passengers are presently treated. I can already hear the apologists bleating about 28 years of P.N.C. rule.
28 years of PNC rule and 17 years of Noah’s Ark still floating around.
You are obviously one confused man od you are clearly out of touch BoraPoke,,,Look at your comment as pertaining to the headline… This is very poor…This is not 28 years, it is 98 and you should retire…
The only way to improve service is to get a new boat. Patching things up on the boat will not work. The promise of a new boat and better conditions has been going on “2 elections for president” ago. When certain party campaigned in the North West this was one of the promises made. At the last campaign, my dad inquired about that promise and reminded “those” of the promise made..of course there was no positive answer. IT IS TIME FOR A NEW BOAT!!!!
Since parties in opposition do not have the power and authority to supply ships I can safely assume you are speaking about the P.P.P. There will/should be another election in 2011 and I hope the people do not become bamboozled by a presidential visit and some outboard motors and dutifully vote for the cup. How many times do you have to be disrespected before you get the message? Remember vote for something and not against a people.
Two of these seven men on this ship are my brothers and I thank GOD for giving all of them yet another chance to live. GOD has been working for my family and the only one that helped them to be rescued was my brother who screemed and shouted. Then, persons on the vessel heard them and helped them.
They say a cat has nine lives I think your brothers and their fellow crewmen have used up quite a few with this accident. I’m happy they are safe and alive but I guess now boat-less.
Yes GOD has done it and he will provide in whatever way for them
Lawd,give de people dem a new boat nuh, how unoo a mek it suh hard fud de people dem.
In Burnham days we built ships (MVKumaka) now we are relying on chinese murcyies
Chinese mercies? More like something the Chinese don’t need any more and will hardly meet the needs of the travelling public!
It is so sad that guyanese in general allow this to happen and raise Cain on insignificant issues.
we build bridges now wake up
Good that all on the fishing boat were saved; hopefully it will not take a tragedy before the government replaces the derelict (Reddy: this means ‘run down’)ferry.
The time Benn is taking to destroy people properties he should look at the transport and harbours service which is in mess.I travel on Malali sometime ago Barima was the tug pushing this boat from parika to adventure it too us 6 hours to meet adventure.Worst of it Barima had no light and night struck this boat nearly ram another boat this would have been a disaster.
Where were they in the fishing boat looking?
When is the best time of the year to go to Anguilla.