Essequibo ferry Sabanto runs aground at Wakenaam

By Indrawattie Natram

What should have been a simple smooth journey for passengers utilising the Sabanto to travel from Parika to Supenaam turned out to be a chaotic experience.

The Sabanto grounded on Wakenaam

According to reports, the Captain reportedly sped his way into a clump of bushes on Wakenaam.
The vessel reportedly left Parika about 23:45h on Sunday evening with approximately 120 passengers and 15 vehicles onboard.
According to information reaching Guyana Times, the Captain left on time for the journey to Supenaam. Information revealed that the river was very calm and the ferry was moving at a fast pace.
About 20 minutes into the journey, passengers were greeted with the news that the boat lost track. Soon after, they reportedly screamed with fear as they shouted for help as the boat was heading into the direction of the trees.
Reports say that the boat reportedly experienced mechanical problems and the steer wheel became inoperable.
The vessel eventually ended up in some bushes where it remained for some time.
According to one passenger Joseph Curt, he was on the boat with his children heading home when the accident occurred.
He said luckily his children were asleep when the incident occurred.
Curt said passengers were stranded for seven hours “when our journey suppose to be one and half hour, our journey was extended, it was very tiresome, but its good thing, speed boat came to rescue us”.
A vendor, who usually sells at Charity Market on Monday, was also stranded. He had onboard perishable items which include cabbages, carrots, pluck chicken and other vegetables. The vehicles on the boat contained chicken feed, logs and groceries.
On learning of the accident, boat operators at Supenaam grasped an early business and rush to the area to rescue passengers. The passengers had to pay an additional fare of $1000 to reach Supenaam.
Speed boats operators lined one after the other to rescue the passengers, some with perishable items.
A Transport and Harbours Department officer at the Good Hope Supenaam Ferry Stelling said the boat did not suffered any extensive damage from the incident.
The officer said the boat will head to Supenaam as soon as the tide rises. He was unaware of the real cause of the incident; however, an investigation will be launched shortly.
Recently, there was a similar incident on another vessel where a truck toppled, causing million of dollars to be lost in chicken feed.
Meanwhile, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) in a release said it is currently investigating the circumstances which resulted in the MV Sabanto running aground on Wakenaam Island during the wee hours of Monday.
The vessel, along with its sister ship the MV Kanawan, plies the Supenaam/Parika route.
The mishap reportedly occurred around 00:35h as the vessel was en route to Supenaam with passengers and crew. No injury was reported.
Passengers were rescued by water taxis which responded to the vessel’s distress call.
Assessments by mariners, marine surveyors and engineers are currently underway to initially determine damage to the vessel and the best method of safely taking it off.
In the meantime, efforts will be made to take off — by dumb barge – the three trucks and seven cars still onboard.
Favourable tides which will help a refloating operation by means of tugs are anticipated at the upcoming weekend.
Traffic movement will be maintained at normal levels by a doubling up of the runs of the MV Kanawan and MV Malali.
“The T&HD sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to commuters,” the release concluded.