MV Barima to resume operations after $90M repairs

The MV Barima, which provides ferry service to residents of Region One (Barima-Waini), is expected to recommence operations as soon as repairs costing $90 million have been completed.

The 88-year-old watercraft was docked for emergency repairs following an assessment by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). Public Works Minister Juan Edghill noted that the safety of citizens was important to the Government and as such, the repairs to the vessel were necessary.
“The systems were heavily compromised and taking into consideration … our number one priority – safety, we had to make a quality decision of getting this boat fully rehabilitated,” he said.

The Minister stated that the vessel had not been drydocked for repairs in six years which led to some of the damage.
“This vessel has not been in dry dock for approximately six years, a vessel [is] to be in drydock every 18 to 24 months and that’s one of the reasons why all the anodes were missing, because they have a lifespan – they fall off; once they fall off, the damage goes directly to the hull.
“Every time you postpone maintenance; docking it becomes costlier because the damage becomes greater and greater. So, I think we have to come to a place of ensuring that we stay within the maintenance cycle and be able to manage things better,” the Minister stated.
The vessel which underwent two weeks’ intense rehabilitation at the Pritipaul’s dockyard in Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD), will be returning to the T&HD within 24 hours.
The vessel’s engine will then be inspected by Macorp to address any further issues. The MV Barima traverses the Georgetown to Port Kaituma route and has the capacity to transport some 150 passengers twice daily.
Work is also ongoing on the Parika-Supenaam ferry to resolve some generator issues.
Meanwhile, T&HD General Manager Marclene Merchant said she was pleased with the quality of works completed within the short time frame.
“I am more than impressed with the works done on this vessel. I was here when the vessel came into dry dock and the vessel was in a deplorable state; it was terrible and within two weeks, the vessel has been completed. Just the engines we need to look at now and we are trying our best to see how soon we can get this vessel back in service,” she declared.