John Wilbert
Port Blair, July 09: The passenger vessel MV Dering is out of service since last nearly two years and in these last two years the vessel has undergone several repair works so that it becomes fit once again for joining the DSS fleet.
Now at this point of time, when very little repair works are left, the vessel has been sent for anchorage once again.
As per reports since last 11 days the ship is in anchor near Junglighat Jetty, even when there is berthing space available at Junglighat Jetty, sources alleged.
Sources told Andaman Sheekha that MV Dering presently requires some welding works for which it has to be berthed at some Port, so that workers of various workshops can carry out the wielding works.
Sources claimed that, just because since last 11 days the ship is an anchor the repair work has also hampered.
The Directorate of Shipping Services is already having shortage of vessels and under this situation if MV Dering becomes fit for sailing and joins back DSS fleet, it will be a great help for public but for reasons unknown the repair work in MV Dering has been delayed.
Meanwhile, insiders told Andaman Sheekha that for the crew members of MV Dering, presently only two connecting ferries are provided, which is insufficient and should be made three.
Sources told Andaman Sheekha that if continuous one month is given to MV Dering at port then all repair works will finish and the vessel might become fit for the service, which will ultimately help the public.
To know the authenticity of these claims Andaman Sheekha tried to meet the CPA (also in charge of DSS) several times in last one week, but he was unavailable for a comment.
When Andaman Sheekha went to SCI, which is the manning agency of MV Dering, to know why SCI is not demanding for the berthing of the vessel, the SCI officials also refused to say anything on the records.
It seems that berthing of MV Dering is more like an internal issue between Shipping Services and SCI, for which the ship repair work is getting delayed. Hope the DSS will come out with correct information and update in this regard for the information of public.
