–after ploughing into Good Hope stelling

CHINESE-built ferry the MV Sabanto will be out of service indefinitely following an incident last evening in which it ran into the ferry stelling at Good Hope, near Supenaam on the Essequibo Coast, and sustained extensive damage.A release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has said the MV Sabanto sustained extensive damage from that incident, but thankfully there were no fatalities or injuries as a result of the approximately 19:00hrs mishap. However, several vehicles were damaged, although most were fender-benders.

The rails of the ramp were broken in the course of the collision, while the piles used to moor the vessel were dislodged as a result of the impact.

The MPI has noted that the vessel will be out of service until further notice, and the ‘MV Malali’ and ‘MV Makouria’ will be utilized to provide service for the Parika-to-Supenaam route and vice-versa. This service will occur as per normal, commencing at 05:00hrs.
A team from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has been deployed to assess the extent of the damages.
Reports out of Good Hope are that the vessel departed Parika at 17:15hrs, more than an hour after its scheduled departure time. Sources say that the vessel may have been delayed to accommodate persons familiar with the operations staff at Parika.

Passengers alleged last evening that the captain of the vessel and others were drinking prior to departure from Parika, accusations which have been levelled against senior personnel in the past.

The MV Sabanto and sister ferry MV Kanawan had been dry-docked for maintenance at the E.C Vieira Shipyard several weeks ago. The latter returned to service from the shipyard a week ago.