The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has launched an investigation into the incident at the Bartica Stelling this morning, which resulted in a truck slipping off a loading ramp.
According to information received the incident, which occurred at about 10:45h on Tuesday resulted in a heavy-laden truck, which was transported from Parika to Bartica on board the M.V. Malali slipping off the loading ramp.
Truck hanging off the side of the vessel following the incident
The truck was one of 18 vehicles, occupying 31 spaces aboard the vessel.
However, no halt in operations were recorded.
“The M.V. Malali has since been loaded to capacity, with 17 vehicles, occupying 31 spaces, and has departed Bartica, as at 14:30 hrs en route to Parika without further incident,” T&HD said in a statement.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Bartica’s Mayor Anthony Murray said he was nearby when the incident occurred.
“The line from the ferry is supposed to pull stiff, so that when the truck coming off now, there’s no movement outwards into the stream…So what happened, because they probably didn’t pull the line stiff enough to stabilize the ferry So you find the truck coming off, so the new ramp,” the mayor said.
“They put back everything, raised the truck up, reversed back on the steamer, and everything is alright there now,” the mayor added.
