WORK at Parika and Supernaam ferry stellings are ongoing as test runs to one of the two new roll on-roll off vessels to operate the Parika/Supernaam route has been moving a pace.
General Manager of Transport & Harbours Department (T&HD), Mrs. Yolanda Hughes speaking with this newspaper indicated that one of the vessels, the Kanawan was taken to Parika two weeks ago where training began with the captain and crew on the operation, navigation and maintenance of the vessel, mooring and berthing and testing in the loading and off-loading of the vessel during different tides among other forms of training.
Last Saturday, a team of officials from the Ministry of Public Works and T&HD were taken on a test run to Supernaam where a first hand look at the ferry operation was demonstrated by the captain and his crew.
The operation saw a few technical deficiencies at both stellings and correctional works will begin shortly to have the ferries in operation soon.
The two vessels were acquired from China, and funded by a US$17M grant from the Chinese government. Each ferry has three decks and can hold up to 800 persons, 44 cars, and 20 trucks, and can travel at a test speed of 12.5 knots. The ferries were scheduled to begin operating this month but due to several technical and other delays this was not possible. A new date for the operating of the ferries will be announced shortly.