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The MV Malali took a record 8 ½ hours on the Adventure – Parika Service yesterday after it ran aground off Nothern Hogg Island,Patrick Willis Ole Miss Jersey, much to the disgust of the passengers abroad.Because of the sand banks in the Essequibo River,Eddie George Ohio State Jersey, the department issues a monthly schedule for the boat service that will allow the vessel to move over the sand banks when the tide is high enough.Despite this, the boat ran aground and remained there for over four hours.The vessel was scheduled to depart the Adventure Stelling at 01:00 hours but was unable to leave because of high winds that kept pushing the boat backwards to the stelling.The single engine on the boat was no match for the wind.When the boat finally left it made its usual stop at the Wakenaam Stelling then headed for Parika but got stuck on a sand bank off Hogg Island. There it remained until the tide receded and then rose high enough to take the boat off the bank. Fortunately,Sterling Shepard Oklahoma Jersey, no ambulance was on board taking patients to Georgetown.The commuters,A. J. Hawk Ohio State Jersey, however,Ezekiel Elliott Ohio State Jersey, were seriously inconvenienced. For some time now,Nebraska Cornhuskers Jerseys, commuters have been dissatisfied with the service provided by the T&HD. They have noted that even officers and other members of the department do not utilise this service unless it is absolutely necessary.One commuter remarked that it is disgusting in these modern times to have a ferry boat that has to be aided by a tug to moor.The MV Malali has been operating on one engine for more than a year and there is no apparent effort to correct the situation as a result the ferry takes twice the time on the journey between Parika and Adventure.When contacted by telephone,Maurice Clarett Ohio State Jersey, the Traffic Manager admitted that the boat did run aground but “the technical people would have to say why this has happened”. She also claimed that efforts are being made to fix the engine that has broken down.Commuters who use the service are calling on the authorities to investigate what is taking place with the Parika – Adventure Ferry Service as they believe there is room for much improvement.Some commuters are suggesting that the MV Malali should be docked and be replaced by the MV Torani and Makouria with urgency. |
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