THE captain and crew members which will be operating the roll-on/roll-off ferry vessel, the MV Kanawan will commence training during the upcoming week to efficiently use the vessel. General Manager of the Transport & Harbours Department, Ms Marclene Merchant, said that the MV Kanawan on Wednesday morning departed the Stabroek stelling in Georgetown and docked at the newly constructed Parika stelling in Essequibo. An 18-tonne truck was used in the test exercise.
She added that the exercise commenced for the official training for the captain and crew of the new Chinese vessel.
“The captain and crew will be trained during the upcoming week to lower and raise the drop bridge and how to berth on the Lincoln Bridge,” Merchant added.
In 2010, government inked a contract with a Chinese shipbuilding company for the design and construction of two roll-on/roll-off vessels, at a cost of 89.5M Yuan.
The modern vessels, with VIP lounges and the necessary amenities to make passengers comfortable, each has the capacity to seat 800 passengers, with 20 lorries or 44 cars.
The acquisition of the ferries will initiate the first phase of a plan to ‘retire’ the existing ferries which have been in operation for more than 70 years. In recent years, in excess of $ 2.4 billion was spent to improve the services of the Transport and Harbours Department, as heavy operational losses often occur due mainly to low tariffs, an aged fleet, and competition from private operators.
The boats, which are similar to the Makouria class vessels, and of a size similar to the Canawaima, have been described as a New Year’s gift by the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.