Barge to sail today on trial run

Kochi: The cargo barge brought from Alapuzha for conducting ferry services in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen section would be subjected to a trial run again on Thursday following charges that the vessel used for “carrying coir” is not suitable to operate in the route cutting across the shipping channel.

“A trial run will be conducted with the barge carrying dummy passengers weighing eight tonnes across the shipping channel to prove its stability. This, after charges that the barge was operating in inland waters and therefore not suitable in rough waters,” said Professor S K Pyarilal of the Department of Ship Technology, Cusat, who is overseeing the refitting works.

The fitness test of the barge ‘Pappy’ could not be carried out on Wednesday since the refitting works extended throughout the day. “The painting work is still pending which they promised to carry out in the night. We will inspect the barge at 9 am tomorrow,” said Chief Surveyor, Ports Department, P K Ajayan.

Though initially the Kochi Corporation, which leased the barge for conducting services on a temporary basis, objected to carrying out additional safety directions spelled out by the Ports Department, equipment like anchor, winch and a chain of around 14 m (sea channel depth) were fitted later in the day.

To finalise the paperworks, an official would arrive at the Vypeen jetty, also on Thursday, to carry out the registration process. “We will re-register the cargo barge ‘Pappy’ as the 21.5 meter steel passenger ferry boat,” Pyarilal said.

Earlier, Opposition members in the Kochi Corporation alleged that the barge was only used to transport coir in the inland waters of Alapuzha and that it would sway heavily while cutting across the ship channel.