Mombasa, KENYA: Newly launched MV Jambo ferry is set to start operating fully on Monday.
This is according to the managing director of Kenya Ferry services who explained to Baraka FM that the reason why the vessel had been operating during offpeak,was to allow the staff operating it to polish on their skills.
“MV jambo is abit different from the others as it is highly electronic and only 3 of our captains were trained in Turkey on how to operate it and we want all our 29 captains to learn how to use it,” Ngowa explained.
MV Jambo was launched two weeks ago in a ceremony attended by the cabinet secretary for transport James Macharia and his tourism counterpart Najib Balala.
Ngowa also explained that experts from Turkey have been finalizing on safety training for the captains.
The sh 2.1 billion ferry is one of two ferries procured by the Kenya Ferry services to ease congestion at the Likoni crossing channel.
The 84 metre long ferry has a capacity of 60 vehicles and 1350 passengers and has an upper deck fitted with seats specifically for passengers.
Another Ferry MV Safari is expected to arrive in the country in November.
Bakari explained that the operation of MV Jambo will allow for the facelifting of other ferries the MV Kilindini,MV Kwale,Mv Nyayo,Mv Likoni and Mv Harambee.
In May, the Mv Nyayo ferry drifted towards the deep sea causing panic among the passengers.