Maritime Administration adds another to its fleet

Oct 02, 2018 News

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson takes the controls of the MT Aruka

The Guyana Maritime Administration on Monday, recommissioned the tug, MT Aruka in order to maintain reliable and safe service within the marine fraternity.

Rehabilitations, which were done by the Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited, saw the vessel being remodeled both aesthetically and in her engineering. The vessel, which has been under renovations for quite some while, is the only tug available in the system, according to Michael Tennant, Harbour Master.

MT Aruka has spent over 40 years on the waterways. The period of her rehabilitations caused the system to feel the absence of the only tug available.

The rehabilitation was four pronged, said Darren Nurse, General Manager of Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited. There were the steel works that saw the replacement of the damaged hull, keel and sides.

The engine bed had to be modified to accommodate the new Caterpillar engines. The propeller shaft had to be realigned, hydraulics overhauled, a new generator installed and the air conditioning reconditioned and two new anchors added.

There were other installations such as navigation and control systems. The use of tugs in the marine fraternity is essential for the manoeuvering of barges and smaller type vessels within the waterway.

According to Michael Tennant, Harbour Master, tugs are pertinent in the repositioning of buoys, which aid in navigating ships through their main channel. He also added that MT Aruka is expected to assist in the towing vessels up to 200 feet long. The new vessel seeks to cut costs in the company’s expenditure.

The Maritime Administration is currently in possession of three active pilot vessels. These pilot vessels are responsible for transporting maritime pilots between land and the inbound or outbound ships that they are piloting, and therefore, are essential for preventing unwanted delays.

Director of Maritime Administration, Claudette Rogers, said that with the coming of oil and gas and the rivers becoming more used by the vessels, the administration is seeking to expand its fleet.

But with all the boats unless there are skilled people, the situation will be meaningless. Ms. Rogers said that at present, the administration is training a number of pilots. It is also training engineers and other marine personnel.

Darren Nurse, senior manager of Courtney Benn Construction explained that another vessel is currently under renovations by the company. The vessel, Kimbia has been under rehabilitation for over two years and is expected to be in optimum condition by mid December.

MT Aruka, which at first glance may seem small, holds a cabin, an engine room and a bathroom below deck. It will also see on board, the installation of television.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Permanent Secretary of MPI -Kenneth Jordan were also present at the recommissioning of the vessel MT Aruka.

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