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Speedboat overloading at Parika/Supenaam comes under spotlight
Passengers who usually commute between Supenaam and Parika root via speedboat, are questioning the competence of the Maritime Administration [MARAD], especially since the overloading of water taxis is becoming quite rampant.
Speedboat operators at the Parika Stelling
Based on reports, water taxi operators continue to overload their vessels at both the Supenaam and Parika Stellings, despite ‘strict’ supervision by MARAD at both locations.
One passenger, who is a Councillor of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two, related his experience to this publication a few days ago. The councillor explained that on three separate occasions he was seated in a speedboat that was overloaded.
The most recent happening, he said, was just a few weeks ago at the Parika Stelling. “I had to object to what was happening on these speedboats… There was no clear writing indicating the seating capacity, not even on the external of the boat.
“When I objected to the overloading of the boats, one sailor at Parika started to throw derogatory remarks at me. It is my right to ask as a passenger because if an accident should occur, who will suffer?”
Kaieteur News understands that MARAD has appointed monitors at both stellings, to ensure that all operations are in keeping with the Administrations requirements. It is customary for MARAD’s monitors to conduct a head count before every speedboat departs a port.
The passenger mentioned earlier noted, however, that only when he called out to the MARAD monitor, was the vessel inspected. It was then revealed that that the speedboat was indeed overloaded by three passengers. Interestingly, no penalty was applied considering MARAD has a strict policy against overloading.
President of the Supenaam/Parika Speedboat Association, Arnold Adams, said that the recommendation by MARAD is that the vessel’s maximum capacity be indicated on the front, and/or side. He further noted that when proven that monitors are in collaboration with ‘underhand business’, they are ‘normally’ suspended.
Adams said that there is a strict policy by MARAD against the overloading of vessels.
He added, “Based on a document presented by MARAD, an operator found guilty of overloading for the first time will be suspended for two months; the second time for four. On the third time, his licence will be suspended.”
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