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A PRESS RELEASE yesterday from the Transport and Harbours Department told of the MV Lady Northcote running into rough weather on its Port Georgetown to the North West District run. The vessel’s captain assured that at no time were the passengers and crew in danger.
Following is the release:
The M V Lady Northcote departed Port Georgetown at 13:00hrs on Tuesday, bound for Kumaka, North West District, with 98 passengers and eleven crew members. The scheduled arrival time was 13:00 hrs yesterday.
At approximately 18:30hrs Tuesday, while the vessel was steaming off Anna Regina, it began experiencing very rough weather, which resulted in the shifting of some deck cargo and the breaking of a plank which is used to secure the vessel’s gangway. The high waves caused some seepage of water into the engine room, but this was immediately pumped out. At no time did the captain request assistance as the vessel was not in distress.
The captain made contact with T&HD and MARAD officials in Georgetown and informed them of the poor weather conditions and that the vessel’s speed was slowed from nine to 6.5 knots per hour. He also advised that passengers resorted to life jackets and were reassured by himself and crew.
Officials in Georgetown remained in constant contact with the captain, but at approximately 23:00hrs there was a failure of telephone and radio communication. As a consequence, the Guyana Coast Guard was alerted of this development and an aircraft flying over the sea was asked to be on the lookout for the vessel in order to ascertain its exact location, during the period of non-communication.
At approximately 11:40hrs yesterday, communication was restored with the vessel and the captain informed that they were approaching Mora Passage at the mouth of the Waini River, and their estimated arrival time at Morawhanna was 14:00 hrs at a speed of 9.7 knots per hour. The captain also informed that there was no serious damage to the vessel and all passengers and crew were safe.
Following is the release:
The M V Lady Northcote departed Port Georgetown at 13:00hrs on Tuesday, bound for Kumaka, North West District, with 98 passengers and eleven crew members. The scheduled arrival time was 13:00 hrs yesterday.
At approximately 18:30hrs Tuesday, while the vessel was steaming off Anna Regina, it began experiencing very rough weather, which resulted in the shifting of some deck cargo and the breaking of a plank which is used to secure the vessel’s gangway. The high waves caused some seepage of water into the engine room, but this was immediately pumped out. At no time did the captain request assistance as the vessel was not in distress.
The captain made contact with T&HD and MARAD officials in Georgetown and informed them of the poor weather conditions and that the vessel’s speed was slowed from nine to 6.5 knots per hour. He also advised that passengers resorted to life jackets and were reassured by himself and crew.
Officials in Georgetown remained in constant contact with the captain, but at approximately 23:00hrs there was a failure of telephone and radio communication. As a consequence, the Guyana Coast Guard was alerted of this development and an aircraft flying over the sea was asked to be on the lookout for the vessel in order to ascertain its exact location, during the period of non-communication.
At approximately 11:40hrs yesterday, communication was restored with the vessel and the captain informed that they were approaching Mora Passage at the mouth of the Waini River, and their estimated arrival time at Morawhanna was 14:00 hrs at a speed of 9.7 knots per hour. The captain also informed that there was no serious damage to the vessel and all passengers and crew were safe.
