The Ministry of Public Works and Communication says plans are in train to upgrade the Georgetown speed-boat landing and it is considering the construction of a floating dock to improve passenger safety and comfort.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn said this arrangement exists at the Bartica speed-boat stelling and it allows passengers to easily embark and disembark. A final design is still to be developed for the Georgetown speed-boat stelling.
Earlier this year, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) hosted a Small Passenger Vessel Safety and Awareness Seminar during which passenger safety was highlighted. The ministry had taken several steps to improve ferry services and commercial speed boat operations under the river transport plan. Already, there have been improvements at Wakenaam Island and the North West District. Similar upgrading is planned for the Adventure ferry stelling at Region Two.
Also, a roll-on, roll-off stelling at Good Hope/Supenaam has been built to facilitate operations of two modern ferries that will be procured under a Guyana/China agreement. The vessels were initially intended for the Rosignol/New Amsterdam crossing but will be diverted to the Essequibo route with the bridging of the Berbice River. A team of technical personnel from China is expected to visit Guyana shortly to determine the possibility of constructing the ferries locally. The Parika ferry stelling has also been upgraded.
