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T&HD pontoon breaks down mid-river; had near miss with Berbice Bridge

May 21, 2011 News

There was high drama on the Berbice River on Thursday morning after the MB Sandaka (pontoon vessel) departed the Rosignol Ferry Stelling for New Amsterdam and experienced a mechanical engine breakdown, causing the vessel to drift towards the Atlantic Ocean.The vessel was making its usual morning commute across the river and the incident caused panic and screaming with over 100 passengers, including school children. The pontoon departed Rosignol at 7:45 hours for New Amsterdam after which it encountered engine failure.
The vessel, driven by the tide, was being pulled towards the ocean, and came within 121 meters (400 feet) of the Berbice River Bridge. A collision seemed imminent.
Several persons who were on the vessel, and who spoke to Kaieteur News, said that oil was leaking from the engine of the vessel. Another eyewitness said that the pontoon drifted towards the mangrove bushes even as it continued to slide slowly towards the ocean.
The Transport and Harbours Department officials then sent a small barge to assist the pontoon on its journey to New Amsterdam, but that proved to be inadequate. A call was then made to Oldendorf Shipping Company for assistance.
A larger barge was sent to tow the Sandaka to shore. Kaieteur News understands that the vessel had been experiencing mechanical breakdowns since Monday but still has been making the thrice-per-day crossings across the Berbice River. The pontoon has since been grounded.
Workers and school children have been utilizing the services of the T&HD pontoon since many claim that they cannot afford to pay high fares to travel by minibus across the Berbice River bridge.
Passengers have often complained about being exposed to rain and sun while using the motor pontoon, since the pontoon is an open vessel. Many school children were soaked on Wednesday morning after the pontoon by the time the pontoon arrived at New Amsterdam. It had rained all morning in Berbice Wednesday.

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