Trim reports…

TRANSPORT and Harbours Department (T&HD) was still able to execute its mandate in 2010, providing passage for passengers, goods and motor vehicles to various locations.
Its vessels travelled from Parika to Wakenaam, Adventure, Leguan and Bartica, and from Georgetown to Kumaka and Port Kaituma, and Rosignol to New Amsterdam. Acting General Manager, Mr. Khevin Trim reported last week.
Reviewing the operations from January 1 to December 14, 2010, he said 232,000 people, 30,000 motor vehicles, 99,000 tonnes of cargo were transported, as compared to 303,000 people, 48,000 motor vehicles and 102,000 tonnes of cargo in 2009.
Trim said revenue realised in 2010, amounted to $56.8M for passengers, $123M for motor vehicles and $227.8M for cargo, in comparison to $68M, $126M and $215M, respectively, for 2009.
He acknowledged, however, that the three large vessels taking people to the Essequibo Islands and Bartica are becoming inadequate, as a result of the increase in vehicular traffic between the destinations.
Trim said the situation resulted in T&HD having to change the Bartica schedule from twice weekly to thrice weekly during the latter part of 2010. But, during the festive season, the demand remained so high that more journeys seemed warranted.
He said, too, that because of the greater need in the latter part of the year, the vessel doing the Parika to Bartica service was further utilised on the Parika to Adventure route.
Trim disclosed that, in 2010, under the Capital Works Programme, out of $110M made available for the docking of dredging equipment, $60M and $30M, in that order, were spent to dock and repair Steve ‘N’ and Split Barge and $10M for the purchase of spares.

DEFECTS
He said, though, that, given the defects on the Steve ‘N’, the allocated $60M sum was inadequate and approval was sought and granted for the money to be used, instead, for purchasing specialised components for the vessel.
Trim said, with no space in the dockyard to accommodate Split Barge, its docking arrangement was deferred to this year and the $30M that was provided for that, went towards buying spares for other T&HD ships.
He also revealed that, in the period reviewed, maintenance works were effected on the Georgetown, Leguan and Bartica ferry stellings at the respective costs of $25M, $3M and $7M.
Trim said, with more urgent repairs needed on Leguan Stelling, approval was granted to spend the allotment for Bartica Stelling on the former but the stelling and building crews were called upon to effect emergency works on Adventure Stelling and the Leguan job is to be restarted shortly.
About navigation aids, he said $20M was provided, $12M for the rehabilitation of the Lighthouse, in Kingston, Georgetown and $8M for the purchasing of spares.
Repairs to the Lighthouse were completed with $11.9M and an initial payment has been made for the supply of the navigational aids spares.
Trim said, last year, as well, the sums of $80M and $100M were set aside for the reconditioning of ships and ferry vessels and the projections for 2011 include the completion of the supply contract for navigation and request for additions; docking of the m.v. Baramani, with the intention of reconfiguring its propulsion and steering systems and hull repairs; complete importation of specialised components for Steve ‘N’, along with docking and installation of the spares  on it; docking of Split Barge to execute hull repairs;  docking of the m.v. Kimbia, m.v. Torani and complete extension works on m.v. Barima; executing repairs to Bartica Stelling and complete rectification of Supenaam Stelling.
The complete modification of both Supenaam and Parika stellings, in time for the arrival of the new-roll on roll-off ferry boats is also planned for this year.