Marine Service Company Ltd (MSCL) manager Beatus Rugarabamu said the company’s board of governors reached the decision so as to protect passengers.
Mwanza. Engineers from the Dar es Salaam Marine Institute have arrived here to start repairs on MV Serengeti following major mechanical breakdowns.
Marine Service Company Ltd (MSCL) manager Beatus Rugarabamu said the company’s board of governors reached the decision so as to protect passengers.
“The board of governors in a recent meeting decided that the ship undergoes a major overhaul; as is kept on breaking down putting the lives of passengers in danger,” said Mr Rugarabamu.
MV Serengeti the only marine vessel ferrying people and goods between Mwanza and Bukoba on Lake Victoria has been grounded for over two months.
So far this year the ship broke down on three separate occasions including on January 6 causing havoc to more than 269 passengers who were on board.
According to the ship captain Winton Mwassa, the ship with a capacity of 593 passengers and 350 tonnes of cargo has had mechanical problems with its propeller shaft system.
“In the course of this year, the propeller shaft of the ship broke down twice,” said Mr Mwassa.
A regular MV Serengeti passenger, Mr Paul Sebastian called for the government to a avail new ship to replace MV Victoria as promised.
