The MV Kimbia departed port Georgetown at 15:05h yesterday afternoon following the successful replacement of the shaft on the steering mechanism of the vessel which had cut, disrupting its journey to Kumaka off Anna Regina on Thursday evening.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn who was monitoring the safe arrival of the vessel which docked at Georgetown at approximately 21:20h Friday evening, noted that reports in Stabroek News are misleading and this was confirmed by passengers.

Passengers noted that there was no shortage of water on the vessel and those who did not have bread accessed food via the canteen. It noted that when the passengers arrived at Georgetown they were given dinner and water.

Mark, one of the passengers noted that he is appreciative of the initiative of the authorities to provide them with meals and water. Minister Benn noted that during the course of the day passengers benefitted from refreshments.
When questioned about provisions for vulnerable passengers including children, Minister Benn highlighted that after interacting with travelers, he noticed that a woman had a baby. He requested that a check be made to ascertain the number of children below five years on board and after there were only five, no immediate action was taken.
Captain of the vessel, Gordon Kingston posited that the cut shaft was probably as a result of metal fatigue over a number of years. He noted that the vessel is maintained weekly and gets a general docking every two years. (GINA)