Cuban authorities have ramped up dredging operations at the Batabanó Port to restore passenger travel to Isla de la Juventud, a vital route for the residents of this island region. The build-up of sediments in the access channel, exacerbated by Hurricane Rafael and natural material drift, has caused significant docking issues for the ferry Perseverancia, currently the only vessel available for trips between Batabanó and Nueva Gerona, explained Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Ávila on Facebook.
In collaboration with various Cuban institutions, the Transport Ministry has expedited the dredging of the port, a project initiated on November 14. Rodríguez Ávila highlighted that the process involves dispatching a specialized dredger from La Coloma to ensure the channel's depth and secure regular ferry operations. Preliminary studies conducted by Geocuba have identified the most affected areas, aiding in the formulation of a high-priority action plan.
The ferry Perseverancia, which typically services the route between Batabanó and Isla de la Juventud, faced challenges docking this week due to sediment accumulation. This unexpected hurdle compelled authorities to devise a special operational plan to manage the transfers. Although a direct transfer to a tourist vessel was initially attempted, adverse weather conditions, especially strong winds, thwarted safe execution of the maneuver.
Despite these setbacks, the ferry and tugboat Polar 11 crews successfully docked the Perseverancia in Batabanó on November 19. This crucial trip transported 62 people requiring medical care, 15 vulnerable individuals, and several passengers whose journeys had been postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather and port difficulties.
The dredging process is deemed crucial not only for resuming passenger services but also for ensuring the delivery of goods to Isla de la Juventud, particularly food and other essential supplies. The dredging and channel measurements involve multiple entities, including Geocuba, GEMAR, and SERMAR. Specialized equipment is expected to be used to deepen the channel sufficiently, allowing the ferry to operate smoothly in the near future.