Commuters travelling the Northwest District route are being asked to remain patient as the newly re-commissioned MV Barima undergoes the final inspection by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), before being put into operation.
In early March, the Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson re-commissioned the vessel.
GINA today quoted Minister Ferguson as saying that the vessel is not yet plying the Northwest District, Region One route because it has to be inspected by MARAD.
She said MARAD is the regulatory body mandated to inspect the vessel to ensure that it is properly outfitted before it goes to sea. When that aspect of work is completed then the vessel will sail to Region One.
The MV Barima was rehabilitated at a cost of $150M with upgraded seating accommodation, more capacity and a new crane to load cargo on board. The inspection is expected to be completed by March month end or early April.
