The MV Canawaima ferry service between Guyana and Suriname continues as normal following a re-inspection of the vessel on Thursday, after a threat of a sailing ban by Surinamese authorities.
Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. and Canawaima Management Company NV confirmed that the vessel was re-inspected and cleared to sail.
The companies said the safety of passengers, crew and the vessel remains the top priority, noting that technical monitoring of the MV Canawaima will continue in keeping with agreements reached with the relevant authorities.
Donald Shepard of Donald Transportation Service, who depends on the ferry connection for his transportation business, told Ignite News that operators were informed that the vessel would be inspected to determine whether it was fit to continue sailing.
“They said that they’re gonna check the ferry to verify if everything was okay before they ground it. If everything wasn’t okay, they would have grounded it today,” Shepard said.
Shepard said the fact that the ferry was operating indicated that the inspection team had found sufficient conditions for the service to continue.
Shepard noted that approximately four trips were being made on Thursday, following a similar number of trips the previous day, as Guyanese and Surinamese authorities worked together to keep the cross-border service operating.
For bus operators in particular, a suspension would have affected their daily income, as passengers travelling between Guyana and Suriname would have to seek alternatives to make the crossing.
One bus operator said that while the possibility of the ferry being shut down was concerning, safety must remain the priority.
“Safety comes first and safety comes last,” he said, stressing that the lives of passengers, crew and other occupants must be considered before economic concerns.
Meanwhile, the ferry operators expressed appreciation to the authorities and other stakeholders in both Guyana and Suriname for their cooperation during the period of uncertainty.
