Speed boats to operate 24-hour following Harbour Bridge closure

As a result of the closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, river taxis between Vreed-En-Hoop and Georgetown will offer a 24-hour service until further notice.

This was announced by the Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD) on Saturday.

“There shall be no increase in the fare. Operators in contravention of this instruction shall face sanctions,” the statement said. “All navigational safety measures must be maintained.

In the wee hours of Saturday, a fuel tanker – MV Tradewind Passion – collided with the Demerara Harbour Bridge, rendering it inoperable.

This accident comes just over a month after a Tug and Barge slammed into the floating structure.

In a statement earlier today, the Corporation said that while there is no indication as to when the bridge will reopen to vehicular traffic, repair works are ongoing.

While the Ministry of Public Works apologised to the travelling public for the inconvenience caused, it noted that it is exploring the possibility of using barges to ferry vehicles between Georgetown and the West Bank Demerara.

Only March last, a tug and barge crashed into the bridge, dislocating a pontoon anchoring chain.