TEN employees, including engineers, surveyors, technicians, and crew from the Transport and Harbours Department, will be travelling to Kolkata, India, for training on the new ferry vessel, MV Ma Lisha, according to the Indian High Commission.

MV Ma Lisha is being built by Indian Defense Public Sector Enterprise, Garden Reach Ship Builders Ltd. under a Government Of India-funded 12.77 million Grant/Line of Credit line. They will be in India from 3-7 December 2022.

The selected employees are Victor Reid, Chief Mechanical Engineer; Cleroy Haywood, Captain; Orson Lindie, Mate; Matthew Burke, Mate; Paul Brotherson, Chief Engineer; Garfield Karl, Second Engineer; Courtney Melville, Ordinary Seaman; Randy October, Ordinary Seaman; Courtney McDonald, Surveyor of Ships; Collis Bethune, Technician (Electrical).

During a courtesy call on the High Commissioner of India, H.E. Dr. KJ Srinivasa, discussions were held on the progress of the project and training/inspection for which the team was visiting India.

Meanwhile, two representatives of the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd are currently in Guyana where they are coordinating final preparatory work for the ferry’s arrival and maintenance after arrival, expected at the end of January 2023.

During a meeting with HE Dr. KJ Srinivasa, the representatives briefed the High Commissioner on the progress of the vessel project and the co-operation being co-ordinated with the Guyanese authorities.

The ferry was launched into water in June, 2022 by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The MV Ma Lisha Ocean-going ferry will cater to the transportation needs of passengers and cargoes along the riverine and coastal routes of the Northwestern district of Guyana, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the region.