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The visiting cruise ship Clipper Adventurer got stuck on a sand bank for more than a day and was finally pulled into deeper water by Transport and Harbour Department tugs yesterday afternoon. Carrying some 118 tourists, the vessel ran onto a sand bank just outside of Saxacalli in the Essequibo River on Tuesday afternoon.
The tourists were forced to disembark the ship and use speed boats to visit areas of interest yesterday. The vessel was the first of its kind to sail up the Essequibo River and is currently on a 14-day tour in South American waters. The ship started the voyage at Belem, Brazil and sailed through the jungle rivers of Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and now Guyana after which it will be heading for Trinidad and Tobago.
Stabroek News had observed the ship yesterday morning in the river perched upon the sand bank while most of its passengers were boarding small speed boats owned and operated by Evergreen Adventures, the organisers of the Guyana leg of the tour.
On board! Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir (second from left) entertained questions from the media yesterday while on the cruise ship Clipper Adventurer. Others in photo, from left, are Tessa Fraser, Director of Tourism, Captain of the vessel, Phillip Dieckmann, Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford and Regional Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford. (Lawrence Fanfair Photo)
An official of Evergreen Adventures said that the ship was heading to Bartica when it got stuck around midday on Tuesday. The official, however, maintained that despite the mishap the tour has been going ahead as scheduled. "While there were some slight shifts with the timings of each tour, we have been able to do all the things as planned." The difficulty posed by sand banks in the river channels had been cited by local officials as a hindrance to the visit of cruise ships.
While one group of tourists visited Kaieteur Falls, some went to Baganara resort and others embarked on nature walks and hiking. Regional Chairman of Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Gordon Bradford told this newspaper that all day Tuesday ever since the ship anchored in the Essequibo River, residents of Bartica have been watching with eager eyes for the vessel. He said many of them had converged at the stelling during the afternoon hours and waited until evening but the ship was nowhere to be seen.
Stranded: While taking some 118 tourists on a cruise to Bartica, the MV Clipper Adventurer got stuck on a sand bank at Saxacalli on Tuesday. Yesterday photographer Lawrence Fanfair captured the ship still anchored on the sand.
During a media tour of the ship yesterday, Bradford was then made aware that the ship had run on to the sand bank. According to an informed source at Evergreen Adventures, the tourists are expected to visit Saxacalli today at which time they will make purchases of handicraft items. They are also expected to make donations in cash and kind to the Amerindian community. Captain of the ship, Phillip Dieckmann, speaking to reporters yesterday confirmed that the trip so far in the Essequibo River had been good. "Despite the mishap with the ship, our tourists are having a wonderful time, we certainly appreciate your kindness and we are looking forward to coming again soon," the captain said.
Hotel Manager of the ship, Louis Rappaport acknowledged that the welcome he has so far received had been very warm and he was looking ahead for another tour to Guyana. "In this day and age, amidst all that's going on globally, to receive such a warm welcome into someone else's country is certainly encouraging," the manager said. According to him, Guyana was included in the trip to South America because they wanted to assess each country so that they can decide which one they will visit on future tours.
Rappaport noted that, apart from the wildlife, what fascinates him most about Guyana is the fact that its citizens are most interesting in their diverse cultures. He said that today's tourists are looking for the sort of eco-tourism Guyana has to offer and encouraged the authorities to continue to develop and maintain the product. "I have travelled across the world and I have been able to observe other countries' eco-tourism product, but when I see yours, you certainly stand out, you are exemplary," the manager added.
Built in 1975, the MV Clipper Adventurer was completely converted in 1997/98 in Denmark. The ship has a main lounge, a cozy clipper club, a library, hair salon and a small gym.
The vessel is registered in the Bahamas.