Supenaam Stelling suffers 'major damage' boat collision

Supenaam Stelling suffers ‘major damage’ boat collision

Jul 28, 2016 News

A damaged section of the stelling

Members of the Transport and Harbours Department were on Wednesday conducting a technical assessment on the Good Hope/Supenaam Ferry Stelling which suffered “major damage” Tuesday night.
According to reports, the M.V. Sabanto while docking on Tuesday night crashed into the Good Hope Ferry Stelling.
The stelling sustained serious damage to a section of the rails and the anchor (floating base). The boat was not damaged.
T&HD noted that the M.V. Sabanto would be out of service while repairs are being effected on the damaged section of the stelling.
Passengers and vehicle owners would now use the area where the ramp is constructed to join and exit the boat. The M.V. Torani and the M.V. Malali would now ply the Supenaam/Parika route.
Captain C. Francis who has been working with T&HD for the last 40 four years explained that as the M.V.Sabanto was approaching a creek not too far from the Good Hope/Supenaam Ferry Stelling, he instructed the other person who was with him captaining the boat at the time to “slow down” both of the engines.
Francis added that whenever the tide is low, the boat usually comes to a sudden halt nearing the Supenaam area but the problem does not exist for a long period.
Francis noted that he was not captaining the boat at the time. He is not sure how ‘all of a sudden’ the boat accelerated and crashed into the ferry stelling.
“I don’t captain the boat, I give instructions. Another person was captaining the boat at the time and that person has to get further instructions from those in the control room”.
While no injuries were reported, several vehicles sustained minor damages. Car driver, Boodram Ragnauth, whose car was damaged to the back, accused the captain of being drunk. Rajkumar claimed that Francis was drinking and at some point in time gave another person the boat to captain.
Francis has since disclaimed the man’s accusations insisting he only directs the vessels, he does not captain the boat.
The Good Hope/Supenaam Ferry Stelling was constructed in 2007 by contractor Brian Tiwarie and ever since the stelling, which diverted traffic from the old Adventure Ferry Stelling, was put into operation, there have been many disasters.
Two trucks ended up into the Essequibo River while a section of the stelling has been deteriorating. Millions of dollars were spent to construct the stelling and millions are still being spent to effect added repairs.

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