All Aboard the Diamond Jubilee: Gov’t Announces Free Ferry Fleet and Shuttles for Historic Fort Island Flag Raising
By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – In a massive logistical undertaking to accommodate an estimated 5,000 visitors, the central government has announced it will fully bankroll the maritime transportation network for patrons traveling to Fort Island for the historic 60th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday night, May 25.
The announcement was made by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, who revealed that the state—through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD)—is mobilizing its newly expanded commercial ferry fleet to ensure seamless, safe, and completely free cross-river transport for local and international patrons.
The Fleet Strategy: Region 2 and the Essequibo Links
The decision to relocate the national flag-raising ceremony from its traditional urban base at D’Urban Park to Fort Island—the 17th-century Dutch colonial capital formerly known as Flag Island—has posed unique geographic challenges.
To bridge the gap, transport planners have designed a synchronized, multi-vessel departure schedule utilizing recently acquired state roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) assets:
- The Region Two Pipeline: The heavy-duty MV Kanawan ferry will depart the Supenaam Stelling on the Essequibo Coast at 6:00 PM on Monday, sailing directly to Fort Island to pick up patrons from Pomeroon-Supenaam.
- The Demerara & Diaspora Grid: For attendees traveling out of Georgetown and Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10, a three-boat flotilla has been commissioned to operate staggered departures directly from the Parika Stelling.
The Parika Departure Schedule
The Ministry of Public Works has structured the Parika stelling operations chronologically to prevent severe bottlenecks on the docks:
| Vessel Classification | Departure Time | Passenger Capacity & Target Demographics |
| Vessel 1: The VIP Fleet | 7:00 PM | 400 VIPs (Ministers, Diplomats, Permanent Secretaries) + 1,000 General Passengers on the lower vehicle deck. |
| Vessel 2: The Distance Fleet | 7:30 PM | Commuters traveling maximum distances from Regions 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). |
| Vessel 3: MV Canarukuk | 7:45 PM | The ultimate crowd-mover, structured to transport 2,500 general patrons to the island. |
Special Shuttle System for Region 3 Residents
Anticipating an unprecedented influx of private vehicles that would choke the narrow access roads leading into Parika, Minister Edghill unveiled a comprehensive “Park and Ride” infrastructure loop specifically engineered for Essequibo Islands-West Demerara residents.
Instead of driving directly to the stelling, interested attendees are instructed to park their private cars and SUVs under secure military and police watch at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium. From there, a continuous fleet of government-contracted shuttle buses will transport commuters directly to the Parika berths, free of charge, and reverse the process when the overnight celebrations conclude.
“The celebration does not begin when you touch down on the historic bricks of Fort Island,” Minister Edghill stated enthusiastically. “The celebration starts the moment you step foot on these vessels. We have organized live steel-pan and soca entertainment on every single boat, alongside well-stocked bars and local catering options on sale.”
With beautification, restoration, and structural upgrades to the historic Fort Zeelandia site now fully completed, the government’s massive logistical framework sets the stage for an unprecedented, overnight Diamond Jubilee “Homecoming” celebration in the middle of the Essequibo River.
