OFFICIALS from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) have met with officers from Crown Mining to discuss efforts to remove the sunken dredge at Perimap Falls in the Mazaruni River.“Over the past few months, Crown Mining assiduously commenced efforts to remove the dredge from its current position. Unfortunately, the high tide and the location of the dredge between rocks in the waterfalls made it impossible to maneuver special equipment to the site,” MARAD explained in a statement on Thursday.

Despite the situation passage has been created, thereby allowing the more than 40 students from the villages of Isseneru, Kangaruma and Tassarene in Middle Mazaruni to attend school in Bartica, Region Seven.

There were transported recently to Bartica by a jet boat.

However, this was after a team from MARAD visited the site to ensure navigation was safe for passengers and cargo vessels. A professional salvager recruited by Crown Mining had also assessed the site to see which measures could be taken to salvage the dredge.

It was confirmed by MARAD officers that passenger and cargo vessels can traverse the area where the dredge is located, and bypass channels are available for the smooth maneuvering of vessels.

Meanwhile, Crown Mining will continue with their efforts of removing the sunken dredge with the use of excavators and operators.