MV Torani moors on Wakenaam stelling

Jul 01, 2012 News

The M.V. Torani yesterday crashed into Wakenaam Stelling, Region Three, causing panic among passengers. The vessel ripped the decking from the stelling and sent zinc sheets that formed the wall of the structure flying on board. No one was harmed, however.
It is alleged that the speed of the vessel increased as it approached the Stelling in an attempt to moor and crashed into the structure shortly after 13:30 hrs.

Speedboat passengers look on in awe

Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn assured that the Maritime Administration Department is currently investigating the incident. The vessel was still operational to continue its journey to Supenaam.
According to a passenger, after a one and half hours delay at Parika Stelling, the vessel departed at 11:30 hrs for Supenaam, making the first stop at Wakenaam. The journey to Wakenaam was proceeding smoothly until the end when disaster struck.
Vessels would usually moor against the tide. Something went wrong because the vessel sped directly into the stelling, mooring in a most unusual manner.
People, especially the youngsters on the stelling ran ‘helter skelter’ as the vessel approached with speed. “Zinc sheets from the stelling paste up on the boat,” one passenger said.
According to a Wakenaam resident, “Employees at the stelling anticipated that the boat would have crashed into the stelling judging from its speed and position. Some employees darted out of the Stelling with their motorcycles.”
One of them said, “There was a loud crash that opened a gaping hole in the passengers’ accommodation, ripped out several planks from the floor and mangled most of the steel framework. Several lighting fixtures were damaged.”
Scores of residents rushed to the scene. The boat appeared grounded at first. But one hour later the captain reversed the Torani, made the desired moorage and the passengers disembarked.