Hundreds stranded after authority grounds vessel

By PISAI GUMAR
ALMOST 200 passengers from Tewae-Siassi and Kabwum were stranded at the Lae Fisheries wharf since Friday because mv Lady Zeming was prevented from sailing.
This was due to some safety deficiencies identified.
And the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) has instructed the management of Tewasi Business Group – owners of the vessel – to rectify them.
The vessel was eventually allowed to sail at midday yesterday.
NMSA senior ship surveyor Danny Fezamo said an inspection was done to ensure the vessel was safe and seaworthy.
Among the loaded store goods, school and building materials, fuel drums and a vehicle were the caskets
of four deceased persons from Timbe and Selepet in Kabwum, which would be off-loaded at Wasu.
“There was no captain and chief engineer while the emergency fire pump was malfunctioning and the cargo ship safety radio certificate was misplaced,” Fezamo said.
He said life-saving and firefighting equipment were crucial while the ship also had to meet staff requirements, including proper certificates of competencies for the crew and the radio had to be operational.
“If all these plus the ship’s certificates were in order, NMSA will see the vessel as safe,” Fezamo said
A passenger and Mabey Primary School head teacher Solomon Nalong was concerned after many women and children slept on board to await instruction from NMSA.
He said the people had used up all the money they had for their stay in Lae.
Meanwhile, Bomario said failure by the ship’s management to put out public notice to ground the ship and resolve internal issues was affecting passengers.