Cape Town - The Robben Island Museum is using local boat suppliers to ferry visitors, as two of their vessels have been out of service for the past few months, the museum’s management says.
The Sikhululekile, which can transport between 800 and 1 200 visitors a day, has not operated for the past six weeks, and the Dias has been out of the water since January.
“We utilise the services of local boat suppliers on a daily basis and the number of boats required is dependant on the tickets sold,” said museum spokesperson Shoni Khangala.
The only operational ferry is the old Susan Kruger, a very slow vessel.
The island ferries have been a problem for several years and there have been management hiccups at the museum as well.
These are some of the recent problems:
l In April 2011 workers were on a go-slow, resulting in ferry operations to and from the island being delayed for hours. A number of angry tourists cancelled trips.
l In December
2011 union shop stewards at the museum were suspended from work pending a probe into their role in a 16-day strike that reduced the museum’s services by half. There were huge delays in the ferry service and tours. Many tourists cancelled in the high season.
l In September last year some tour operators said they were discouraging tourists from visiting Robben Island because of continual delays in the ferry service. Many tourists again cancelled trips.
The lengthy absence of the two ferries this time comes barely three years after the Organised Crime Unit and the West Cape Marine Unit investigated the frequent breakdowns of the Sikhululekile.
Management suspected sabotage.
After the museum purchased the R1-million vessel in 2008, it had broken down seven times by November 2010.
On Wednesday, Khangala said the two ferries were expected to be back in the water soon.
“Sikhululekile was taken on the syncrolift to fit some seals which had been ordered from overseas. It is due back in the water within the next week. Dias is awaiting a shaft replacement, and thereafter a top survey will be done. The shafts are due to be replaced because of wear and tear.
“Dias could be back in operation by the second week of July,” Khangala said.
Asked about the vessel suppliers’ fee, he said: “The amount varies from supplier to supplier but ranges from R7 980 to R22 000 (per trip)… The service is paid from the ticket sales.”
The Department of Arts and Culture’s Mack Lewele said the museum was responsible for its day-to-day operations and the department only had a political oversight of the museum. - Cape Times