Captain of the MV Kimbia Gordon Kingston yesterday said that wear and tear was the most likely cause of the damage that led to the vessel being stranded in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday with scores of passengers on board.

“Metal fatigue over a number of years … could cause the shaft to cut,” he stated, adding that the boat is maintained weekly with a “general docking” every two years. The problem occurred while the vessel was in the vicinity of Anna Regina and it was towed back to Port Georgetown by tug and docked at the Transport and Harbours Department’s wharf in Kingston Friday night.

The vessel yesterday set sail from Port Georgetown for Region One after undergoing repairs to its steering column.

When Stabroek News visited the wharf just before noon yesterday Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn stated that the mechanical part had been fixed. “The shaft to the steering mechanism which was broken I believe has just been repaired.

That part will be put in place, they will make a trial to see that its okay on the water, both in turning and so on and then in the water and then we anticipate that we will leave by 3 o’clock, no later than three,” Benn said. When Stabroek News checked with a passenger on the vessel via mobile phone shortly after 3 pm, the individual relayed that the vessel had departed the wharf on time.

Meanwhile, Benn relayed that upon disembarking Friday night passengers were given food and water, while those who remained onboard received breakfast yesterday morning and were to receive lunch and refreshments later.  Persons who opted to return to Region One on the next trip scheduled for Thursday would have had their fares refunded and their names booked for that trip, the minister said.

He also took umbrage at the Stabroek News headline which accompanied yesterday’s report on the plight of passengers aboard the vessel. The headline stated that the stranded passengers were without food and water. It was based on reports from several individuals interviewed when the MV Kimbia reached Kingston. Benn, however, rejected the claim that the vessel was without food and water and this was supported by Kingston, and two passengers. Benn further accused this newspaper of sparking an international panic with its report. “I’m upset with Stabroek News again, very upset. The people themselves telling you that there was food and water in the boat. Look at your headlines today; creating a panic right throughout the world about the boat.”
Paul George, 16, had told this newspaper that hours after setting out on the trip he learnt that there was a problem and that they were stranded. The lad said that he used the sandwiches he brought with him and afterward he was forced to endure hunger because he had no money to purchase anything from the onboard canteen.

Another passenger who chose to remain unnamed said water was usually provided free of cost on the MV Kimbia. However, on Thursday when she boarded the vessel there was only one bottle and it was soon empty. For most of Friday, the woman said she kept asking for water.

“I couldn’t buy any… they didn’t provide any and you know what I had to do? I had to end up drinking dirty water from a black tank…it was that or fall down,” she stated.

During the trip, she further said, many persons became ill and there was much vomiting. By 4pm Friday, the lack of water was beginning to scare many passengers and the crew, she added, was not equipped to handle the situation.

Another passenger, Hilary Margow, who was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital recently with a broken leg, left the vessel in great pain. Margow said he was travelling alone and because of his condition was unable to do anything for himself. “I hear everyone complaining about hunger and thirst and so and all I could do was sit right where I was and deal with my own quietly… right now my foot is worse and I am just happy to be alive,” he said.

During the trip, another woman said, three persons collapsed. She believes that it was the heat, stench and thirst which contributed to this. She and many others expressed frustration at the poor health and safety condition aboard the MV Kimbia. “Let me tell you there is not even a nurse on board this boat… if you drop down here then you’re on your own,” the woman said.

Benn yesterday acknowledged that the service needed improving while pointing out that some progress had been made.

“We believe we have improved the service over the last few years because there was only one boat every fortnight. There’s a boat now every week and in spite of what you might see, the conditions of this boat (MV Kimbia) are somewhat better,” Benn said yesterday.

Benn also mentioned to some passengers that the government was looking to secure a better vessel but added that the funds had to be found.

Meanwhile, while many passengers had said they would rather not get back on the boat, they admitted that they did not have a choice since they could not afford to pay the airfare to get to the North West. The airfare per person to Mabaruma ranges from $13,000 to $15,000 while $2,000 is paid by an adult to use the ferry.