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Municipal Assembly warns that Maputo-Catembe ferry Bagamoyo is a danger to users
2:06 CAT | 03 Nov 2016
Noticias
Keeping the ferryboat ‘Bagamoyo’ operating between Maputo and Catembe is a danger to passengers, the Municipal Assembly of Maputo has warned.
The body has recommended that the Cuity Hall, led by David Simango, approach the Ministry of Transport and Communications to address the issue of the vessel, which has recently been ferrying passengers and vehicles between with only one of its two engines working.
Head of the Frelimo bench Samuel Mudumela said that action must be speedy, before the nearly 45-year-old vessel sparks a tragedy.
The ferryboat has broken during the crossing time and again, at one point landing passengers and goods but leaving a car stranded on board, only to be retrieved after the vessel was repaired.
The ferry returned to service in mid-October after two months of downtime. During this period, the maritime connection was provided by a single ferry, the ‘Mpfumo-, and various small vessels, which are not allowed to sail in bad weather or when seas are rough.
Speaking recently to Noticias, Transmarítima Chairman Jafar Ruby said that the ferry was back in service only conditionally, as one of its two engines still requires repair. The matter, however, was complex, because parts are no longer available and the company does not have sufficient funds to buy new engines.
As a result, the ‘Bagamoyo’ cannot carry its full complement of passengers and cargo and, in bad weather, cannot sail at all.
The ‘Bagamoyo’ has been in service since 1972 and can carry up to 208 passengers and eight light vehicles. In normal conditions, it sails from 5:00am to 11:30pm, making 10 trips per day.
Source: Noticias
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