Speed boats to operate 24 hour with closure of Harbour Bridge

The Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD) has revealed that the speed boats will offer a 24 hour service following the closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The service operates between Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop.

“The General Public is advised of the following: (a) Consequent upon the closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge following a collision on October 8, 2022, the Demerara River water taxis will offer 24-hour service, until further notice. (b) There shall be NO INCREASE in the fare,” MARAD said in a statement.

The statement further noted that operators found increasing the fare “shall face sanctions.”

Additionally, “All navigational safety measures must be maintained.”

The government had said earlier it was considering using barges to transport vehicles from Georgetown to West Bank Demerara after a major collision on the Harbour Bridge rendered it inoperable.

In the wee hours of Saturday, a fuel tanker – MV Tradewind Passion – collided with the bridge.

When contacted on Saturday, the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Wayne Watson told the News Room that is not possible at this time to say how long the bridge will be closed.

“I just can’t commit to any timeline, but we are working for the shortest time possible and we are going to be working until the bridge is up and running,” Watson said.

He related that a shift system is being implemented to work around the clock to get the bridge fixed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works said a joint team of government and private sector officials, including ministers, are on the ground working to restore normalcy.