Cape Town – The Robben Island Museum has once again come under the spotlight after one of its three ferries, the Susan Kruger, experienced difficulties with its radar while transporting visitors to the island yesterday morning.
The ferry departed from the V&A Waterfront at 9am and the journey to Robben Island was scheduled to take 40 minutes, but halfway through the trip the ferry stopped while its engine was still running, said US tourist Bob Goodwin.
He said there was “a lot of concern” among passengers.
The Susan Kruger was one of those used to transport prison staff and political prisoners between the mainland and Robben Island when the prison was still functioning. She is now in service as a ferry for the island.
“There was a heavy groundswell. I think the boat was not seaworthy. We were on the 9am trip. While the Susan Kruger was on its way to Robben Island, it stopped. The ferry delayed for two hours while trying to get to Robben Island.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to tour the island. We had to rush back and prepare to go back to the US,” Goodwin said.
He said it was the first time he and his wife had visited Robben Island, but their fourth visit to the country.
“We would love to visit again. We love South Africa and its people. This was just an unfortunate thing, but I think it needs to be fixed.”
Goodwin was concerned about safety as passengers were on the ferry.
“Something is worrying about the company in charge of the ferries.”
Robben Island Museum spokesman Quinton Mtyala said the malfunctioning of the Susan Kruger’s radar was reported to Cape Town Port Control. “At no stage were any of the 134 passengers endangered. Poor visibility caused by heavy fog and a malfunction of the Susan Kruger’s radar systems delayed her arrival to Robben Island this morning,” said Mtyala.
He gave assurances that the museum wasacquiring a new ferry.
“The tourists who were brought to the island on the Susan Kruger were given the option of leaving on a different boat. The problem with its radar had in the meantime been rectified. This enabled the Susan Kruger to return with 100 tourists to the mainland.”
A city tour guide, who refused for her name to be published as she was concerned her business would be affected, said the incident was not isolated. At least two more vessels should be used as ferries, she said.
“I think they (museum) need to be investigated because no one knows where the money made goes. This incident was not the first to have happened. The have been quite a number of incidents involving the ferries.”