THE MV Torani, one of the Transport & Harbours Department (T&HD) ferry vessels which provide service along the Parika to Supenaam route on the Essequibo River, yesterday encountered an engine failure while en-route to Supenaam. According to reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the vessel departed the Parika Stelling around 9:00hrs on a routine run, but suffered an engine failure between Hogg Island and Wakenaam. Sources said the vessel’s problem had developed the day before, but the engineers had rectified it to allow it to sail.
On board the MvTorani at the time of the mishap were seven trucks, six canters and two cars, along with the drivers of the vehicles. There were no other passengers aboard.
Meanwhile, the MV Malali, another of the T&HD vessels which ply the same route, had departed Parika around 10:20hrs, and assisted in successfully shunting the Torani to Supenaam.
The Parika/Supenaam route is soon to be serviced by two new Chinese built ferry vessels which are already here.
The vessels cannot immediately be put into operation as the wharves at Supenaam and Parika are being modified to facilitate their easy mooring.
The modification works are being undertaken by B.K. International Inc., and in the meantime, the vessels are being tested and local crews who will man them are being trained.
The operation of the two new ferry vessels, each with capacity seating for 800 passengers, and space for 20 lorries or 44 cars, is much anticipated, as they will greatly facilitate the movement of people and commodities, and travelling time will be greatly reduced.