Georgetown : 49 passengers and 13 crew members on board the Transport and Harbours department’s Lady Northcote, which was returning from the North West this afternoon, were safe after the captain and crew took quick action to extinguish a fire that was caused by an oil leak.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn said the ferry was heading into the Georgetown Harbour after 3 pm when the fire occurred in the engine room. Minister Benn noted that it was extinguished by the crew members who fought the fire for about 20 minutes using all the extinguishers on the vessel and water. He explained that the Lady Northcote lost power for some time and was drifting but, was towed in by tugs and pilot launches of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
Minister Benn indicated that an evaluation will be done by MARAD and the Transport and Harbours Department to determine the level of damage the engine incurred and the necessary interventions to be made.
The Lady Northcote which is about 70 years old and the oldest ferry vessel in the department’s fleet plies the Georgetown – North West, Region One route every fortnight.
Minister Benn said the vessel’s captain and crew followed the necessary regulations and ensured that the passengers were equipped with life jackets in case the ship had to be abandoned; fortunately this was not necessary. The Minister said a vehicle which was near the engine room suffered some damage however, he was thankful that nothing serious happened and no one was injured.
The Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force Coastguard were present to offer assistance.
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