Unlicensed boat operators plying Bartica route – speedboat association

A number of persons have been plying the Bartica-Parika speedboat route without requisite documentation and licensing. This is raising concern among boat owners about loss of income and safety of passengers.
Speaking with Guyana Times, President of the Bartica Speedboat Owners Association Stephen Belle explained that the organisation comprises of over 50 water taxis.
Each boat would take turns to load passengers and transport them along the route.
Their operations have been affected by persons who are unlicensed to operate these small vessels.
“We have an association and they have 53 boats. These boats are all licensed and they all have certificates of seaworthiness. What has been happening is that we have boats without license or captain plying the same route with us,” the boat captain relayed.
Officials from the maritime administration are present at the Ferry Stelling and loading sites but Belle pointed out that these matters are overlooked. Passengers are travelling with the undocumented boats, thus stymieing their earnings as well.
“This has been affecting us a lot because right now, every nine days we’re working. These boats are under the maritime administration. They are managed by the Association and these boats have all the required documents to load under maritime supervision. Every now and then, these boats come and steal passengers. The maritime people are right there and they do nothing about it”.
The President of the association expressed that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) was notified about the issue as well as the subject minister. However, they are yet to respond to these concerns.
“It’s under watch of the Police, the Maritime officials at Parika and nobody is doing anything about it. I highlighted this problem to the Maritime Administration many times. I even wrote the Minister without any response. Currently, there are about ten persons without documentation. As far as I know, this has been going on for the last eight years,” said Belle.
This publication understands that the boats are required to meet certain standards before transporting passengers across the river. Older persons are also tasked with declaring any medical problems which they may have.
One operator who plies the Wakenaam route expressed that unlicensed boats can be dangerous for passengers since they are crewed by inexperienced persons who do not know the channel.
Earlier in the year, boat operators were tasked with placing MARAD decals to identify certified vessels. However, travellers pay less attention to these indications.
He explained that some licensed owners are charging more than the expected fares, causing some persons to resort to the cheaper medium.