Maputo-Catembe crossing: “Bagamoyo” back in service, but with conditions

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Maputo-Catembe crossing: “Bagamoyo” back in service, but with conditions

4:22 CAT | 18 Oct 2016

Noticias

The Bagamoyo ferry, which services the Maputo-Catembe crossing, has returned to work after about two months of downtime. The boat’s return last Thursday should cut the frequent delays of passengers who were dependent of a single ferry.

“We suffered a lot of pressure, with passengers and vehicles needing to cross. Without the Bagamoyo, we had backlogs. After consultation with the Maritime Administration, were allowed to resume operations,” Transmarítima’s Jafar Ruby said.

However, the Bagamoyo is back at sea on special conditions, as one of its two engines is still out of order. Its repair is a complex matter because the engine is no longer made and parts are unavailable, but the institution has no money to buy new engines.

Despite this, Ruby says the Bagamoyo can make the trip, but with certain limitations.

“The Bagamoyo cannot be loaded to capacity, and must not put out in bad weather. Finally, it will only be in service during peak hours, as a rule,” he said.

Disembarking from the Bagamoyo, passenger Maria Matusse noted: “On weekends, when some boats do not operate, it was a problem to cross because the existing maritime transport could not cope with the traffic alone.”

The Bagamoyo has been in service since 1972. It can carry up to 208 passengers and up to eight light vehicles. Under normal conditions, it sailed from 5:00 am until 10:30 pm, making up to 10 trips a day.

Source: Noticias