By Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia Ferry Services on Tuesday issued a statement,indicating dangerous fishing activities on the Banjul–Barra Ferry Route, advising fishermen against hazardous fishing activities on the ferry route.
This, the Ferry Services said, has caused several damages to the ferries, carrying passengers on the route.
The ferry services blamed the frequent breakdown of the ferries on fishing implements used along the route.
‘’The Gambia Ferry Service wishes to inform the fishermen engaged in fishing on the Banjul–Barra route that the laying of fishing nets, lines, and ropes along the ferry lane does have serious consequences in the operation of the ferry,’’ read the statement.
It explained that when the fishing nets, lines, and ropes entangle with propellers, they cause severe damage to the propulsion operation, thereby bringing it to a halt.
The statement further read that on 12 January 2024, the Kanilaiferry had suffered damage on the route and was later rescued by the Kunta Kinteh ferry.
The ferry services said this incident led to a problem with the propeller transmission shaft, which costs about 600,000.000 and takes about three weeks to order and deliver to Banjul. The statement indicated that such incidents negatively impacted thecustomers, who had to wait for hours to get the problem resolved and have further resulted in the loss of revenue to The Gambia.
It urged fishermen to desist from such dangerous fishing activities along the ferry route.
