Ministers stranded on Lake Victoria

After the ministers and journalists finished receiving a safety briefing before embarking on a test ride from Port Bell to Speke resort, drama unfolded when one of the engines of the ferry sucked dirt from the pier causing the ferry to veer off its course.

Attempts by the crew to continue with the voyage to Speke Resort failed when the engine started releasing smoke causing panic among passengers who had sailed close to 200 metres away from the dock.

For nearly two hours, passengers were treated to distress calls as efforts to tell the ministers’ aides to contact Police to send a rescue boat were fruitless as they seemed reluctant.

It was until a journalist on board called the army spokesman Lt Col. Felix Kulaigye who later contacted the Police Marine Unit to dispatch a rescue boat from Kigo which arrived 10 minutes later.

According to Mr Henry Nieuwoudt, the technical director of Earthwise Ferries, the proprietors of the venture, said most of the Port Bell pier was filled with sediments which have silted it.

“The water is shallow and some sections of the Port have mud and debris like clothes, plastic bags which choke up the propellers affecting the engine’s capacity to move forward,” he said.

Plans
In his brief to the ministers, the board chairman of Earthwise Ferries, Mr Anthony Esenu, said the company plans to build ten boats that will be plying the lake.

“This technology ensures that the ferry cannot sink even if there was an accident,” he said. The ferry will be able to cover the distance between Port Bell, Mwanza and Kisumu between eight to 10 hours.