Nothing was `inherently' wrong with T&HD ferries
by Wendella Davidson
THE Commission of Enquiry investigating criminal acts during the recent strike in the public sector, yesterday heard that nothing was "inherently wrong" with T&HD ferry vessels m.v. Makouria and m.v. Barima, when they ceased to operate during that period. Mr Robert Ashford, Marine Superintendent (MS), testified that Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) engineers had found that the vessel was inoperable because air-pressure to start the engine was too low. The air was subsequently sourced from the Demerara Oxygen Company Limited (DOCOL). Ashford was one of four T&HD officers who testified on behalf of the department. Others were Mr Paul Sinclair, Shore Chief Engineer (SCE); Mr Millington James, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME); and Mr Edward Baker, Chief Engineer, Maintenance (CEM). According to Ashford, on May 3, he received a report that the crew of the m.v. Makouria, including the captain and engineers, were on strike. The vessel ferries passengers between Rosignol and New Amsterdam, and had curtailed operations because of the strike. The Marine Superintendent said he immediately made arrangements with the administration of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to have personnel from the Coast Guard operate the ferry, as crew was need for the deck side and the engine room. Arriving at Rosignol at about 17:30 hours, Ashford said he contacted T&HD Supernumerary Constable Mr Samuel Gill and along with Sinclair and others, they crossed by private boat to New Amsterdam. There he uplifted the keys for the motor barge, m.b. Sandaka, which they used to transport stranded passengers to Rosignol. Ashford said he also picked up the Coast Guard crew from the Rosignol Stelling, and on their return to New Amsterdam, Sinclair went into the engine room of the m.v. Makouria to start the engine. After several unsuccessful attempts, he reported that the air pressure bottle was too low. The ferry, he told the Commission, was moored closer to the wharf; and so as to facilitate the easy mooring of the motor barge, the m.v. Makouria was towed to the Stanleytown wharf on May 4. But the next day the CSE reported ill and new arrangements had to be made for the Chief Maintenance Engineer (CME) to be taken to Berbice. He too reported a similar finding, Ashford said, adding that on Friday, May 7, the vessel was re-towed to the New Amsterdam Stelling and by 05:00 hours the next day, the repairs were successfully effected and the service restarted. Asked by Justice Singh whether he would confer that nothing was inherently wrong with the vessel, Ashford said `yes'. Responding to a further query from the Judge about the suspending of the Parika/Adventure ferry service for about eight days, Ashford explained this was due to an unserviceable generator. He pointed out that vessel was out of service for only three days. And because no crew was available to operate the m.v. Malali, that vessel was required to operate all three services: Bartica, Leguan and Essequibo. Testimonies by Sinclair, who made unsuccessful attempts to start the m.v. Makouria, as well as James and Baker, all concurred with that of Ashford. The Inquiry being conducted at the Public Service Appellate Tribunal Building, Brickdam, will continue on August 30.
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