– to begin navigation exercises soon
THE crew members tasked with the daily operations of the Chinese-made roll-on/roll-off ferry vessels have, to date, completed about 60% of training in the use of the fully electronic vessels and are expected to start navigation activities shortly. General Manager, Transport and Harbours Department Marclene Merchant informed the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the crew which commenced its training exercises weeks after the arrival of the ferry vessels are soon to complete the training.
“They are being trained to efficiently use the vessel’s radar, eco-founder, onboard communication devices and VHF…they will undergo their ship handling aspect of the training shortly in the Essequibo river,” Merchant said.
She said that the vessels are fully electronic unlike the Makouria class vessels. As such, the crew has to be fully trained in their use.
The roll-on/roll-off ferry vessels, the ‘Sabanto’ and ‘Kanawan’ were donated by the People’s Republic of China valued at US$14.4M and arrived in the country in December last year.
The vessels represent an enormous boost in river transportation, particularly in the Essequibo district, as the last time such an intervention was made in terms of river transportation was in 1959 when the Makouria class vessels came into Guyana, followed by the arrival of the M.V. Torani in 1962.
The vessels, outfitted with a VIP Lounge, and the necessary amenities to make passengers more comfortable – as each has the capacity to seat 800 passengers with 20 lorries or 44 cars, are scheduled to come into operation by month-end as construction works on the Parika and Supenaam stellings to accommodate the vessels will be completed by then.
In recent years, billions of dollars have been spent to improve the services of the Transport and Harbours Department as heavy operational losses often occur. This is due mainly to low tariffs, an over-aged fleet and competition from private operators.
The acquisition of the two vessels will initiate the Public Works’ Ministry’s first phase of a plan to retire the existing ferries which have been in operation for more than 70 years.