Cargo vessel slams into Berbice bridge; traffic halted

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Written by Denis Scott Chabrol

Thursday, 02 August 2012 23:02

berbice_bridge A sugar-laden ship Thursday night slammed into the Berbice River Bridge, forcing authorities to close off the major link between East and West Berbice.

Authorities hope that the bridge could be reopened before if not around 1 AM Friday.

Tugs from the German-owned bauxite transshipment company, Oldendorff, were being deployed to remove the 700-tonne MV Joanna Key, according to Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn.

Well-placed sources said the Guyanese-owned ship is resting on one of the pontoons that keeps the Berbice Bridge afloat. The incident occurred on the southern side of the bridge.

Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) was told that some time after 9 AM, the MV Joanna Key sailed up on the pontoon after the captain allegedly fell asleep. The vessel had earlier collected a consignment of sugar from the Blairmont Sugar factory.

He should have anchored some distance away from the bridge to await high tide around 1 AM Friday to exit.

Vehicles that were on the bridge at the time of the incident were allowed to cross after which the facility was closed to further traffic until the cargo vessel is removed.

An investigation into the incident would be conducted shortly.

Comments

-3 #1 Jason Benjamin 2012-08-02 23:15

Wickedness will NEVER overcome GOOD!

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0 #2 cassavajoe 2012-08-02 23:54

Now you tell me, who own this vessel. I would be this someone who shore up the PPP Administration.

Here is where Benn should investigated for obstructing an the course of Justice.

This is an accident, the Police was responsible for taking control of the situation, start an investigation, detain the captain and his crew, test for drugs and alcohol. Charge the Perpetrators and Judge set bail for and hearing for a later date but no this is another "fat cat" with special attention.

The resistance at Linden must continue, no retreat, they say get back, we say fight back, power to the struggle in Region ten.

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+3 #3 vikkip 2012-08-03 00:43

I always knew that it was oh so dumb when they decided to scrap the Rosignol / New Amsterdam ferry service which could have been used as a backup. This PPP/C Gov't has no common sense . As the Americans say , "You can't fix stupid"

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+3 #4 Reality 2012-08-03 15:27

Guyanese are just careless these days. No regards for nothing. Pay lill money and get off. or call up some govt. friend. Yo Donald, I just slammed into ure expensive bridge. Then donald say, no prob pad, it gan fix, we get money like dah!!

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-2 #5 nirmala 2012-08-03 15:37

its not the PPP/C fault why is everybody blaming them?i see there is a bit of racism going on here and im totally annoyed at the fact they are blaming that party .why not blame PNC/R? the PPP/C has done far more good things to develop guyana and we should be happy for that.what has PNC/R done for guyana? All tey ever do is terrose people , hold strikes and kill innocent people.

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-2 #6 Jayce 2012-08-03 15:39

Sabotage! This needs a sound investigation!

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0 #7 cassavajoe 2012-08-04 02:19

Quoting nirmala:

its not the PPP/C fault why is everybody blaming them?i see there is a bit of racism going on here and im totally annoyed at the fact they are blaming that party .why not blame PNC/R? the PPP/C has done far more good things to develop guyana and we should be happy for that.what has PNC/R done for guyana? All tey ever do is terrose people , hold strikes and kill innocent people.

Nirmala, drugs, name me one part of Guyana you cannot find drugs and guns, the PPP will soon fall on it's own knife.......

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