More than 120 passengers were rescued at the Mbita terminal in Suba North constituency after the ramp of a ferry developed a mechanical breakdown.
A ferry belonging to Mbita Ferry Services that was to carry passengers from Mbita town to Lwanda Kotieno in Siaya County failed to take a trip after its ramp malfunctioned.
The ramp refused to fold up after the vessel took off about some 20 metres away from the terminal in Lake Victoria.
The passengers remained stranded for more than four hours in the lake as the water vessel operating officials strived to rectify the situation.
The ferry also carried at least 13 motor vehicles whose owners were crossing over to Siaya County.
According to Mbita Ferry Services manager Bernard Siro, they realized that the ramp developed a mechanical breakdown as they were taking off from the terminal.
“One of the chains used for controlling the ramp broke down and could not allow it to fold up. The ferry operation officers strived and managed the situation,” Siro said.
Siro said the incident occurred when the ferry was still near the terminal, a few minutes after the vessel set off to Lwanda Kotieno which was its destination.
Speaking after the incident, Siro said they were forced to bring another ferry to enable the passengers to continue with their journey.
All passengers were rescued, motor vehicles removed and taken to another ferry before they proceeded with their journey.
“The ill-fated ferry was dragged to the terminal after all rescue operations were complete. There was no casualty during the incident and all passengers travelled safely afterwards,” he added.
The ferry with a faulty ramp will not be allowed to operate until it is rectified.
Siro said that they used two other vessels to ferry the passengers to their vessels.
“Inspection of the ramp is already going on. We’re going to repair it before the vessel returns to the water for operations,” Siro said.
