Despite the record amounts of oil revenues flowing into the country and the recent MV Barima tragedy, commuters say the conditions at the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop stellings continue to be unsafe.
Passengers pointed to steep steps, the absence of guard rails and other potential hazards. These have been longstanding problems.
During a visit yesterday to both the Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown stellings, Kiskadee Watch observed conditions which several commuters said make boarding and disembarking from speedboats particularly difficult for elderly persons and others with mobility challenges.
At the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling, some of the steps leading to the boats appeared steep and lacked guard rails, forcing commuters to carefully navigate the area while boarding and exiting vessels.
Fifty-year-old commuter Adena Laurie said she experienced difficulty boarding a boat earlier and believes additional safety measures are needed.
“Yes, the bowmen would help you into the boat, but these steps are steep, and one misstep and down you gone,” Laurie said.
She recalled a previous incident in which she narrowly avoided being seriously injured after misjudging a step while attempting to leave a boat.
“One time I attempted to come off the boat and, by the grace of God, a young man and another young lady caught me before I injured myself. I miscalculated the step and almost fell flat on the ground,” she explained.
According to Laurie, while repairs and improvements have been carried out over the years, the current design may need to be reconsidered.
“It’s been years. Yes, they are doing repairs, but this is not ideal for persons. It’s dangerous in its current state,” she said.
Another commuter, who asked not to be identified, also recalled being injured while attempting to exit a boat at night.
She explained that commuters are often rushed off the vessels, particularly during busy periods, creating additional risks.
“One night I was coming home and everyone kept rushing you off the boat. I was trying to be accommodating to the impatient people, but in the process my foot got stuck between two of the boards on the step and I fell and hit myself hard. No one ever compensated me,” she said.
Meanwhile, commuter Rawle Atherley said he has observed some improvements, including extensions made at the Georgetown stelling, but believes the overall design still does not adequately address passenger safety.
“Well, I see they tried to do some improvements. They extended the Georgetown stelling, but the design is still not enough,” Atherley said.
He recalled a recent incident in which a young woman reportedly fell from the bow of a boat into the river.
“The other day a young lady fell off the bow of a boat…into the water. The captain nor the authorities at the stelling compensated her. They need to make this place safe for persons. Look at your counterparts in other countries and their designs, man. Something must be done,” he stated.
However, boat operators who ply the route between Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop offered another perspective, explaining that installing fixed guard rails along certain sections could create operational challenges due to the changing tides.
Several boatmen told Kiskadee Watch that the movement of the water level affects how their vessels dock and are secured.
“They can’t put any rails here. While we understand the people, we also have to consider the tide,” one operator explained.
The operators said any improvements would have to take into account both commuter safety and the ability of boats to safely dock and be securely tied at varying tide levels.
During the visit, Kiskadee Watch also observed concerns surrounding the condition of the Transport and Harbours Department sub-office at the stelling. Parts of the structure appeared to be supported by old and deteriorated wood, raising further questions about the safety of persons who regularly use the area.
With the Georgetown–Vreed-en-Hoop river crossing serving as a vital daily link for West Coast and West Bank commuters travelling to and from the capital, passengers are now calling for authorities to examine the conditions at both facilities and explore improvements that can balance commuter safety with the operational needs of boat operators.
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