Lamu sea users warned over detached pontoon

Sea users in Lamu have been warned to be on the lookout over a pontoon that detached from Mtangawanda jetty. Kenya Maritime Authority has not yet located the pontoon which it says poses danger to vessels. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The pontoon is a floatable heavy metal device that is connected to jetties and used as a landing site for boarding and alighting from boats.

  • The Mtangawanda jetty pontoon has been in a poor state over the years.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has warned sailors in Lamu East to be cautious after a pontoon detached from Mtangawanda Jetty, disrupting transportation of passengers and cargo.

The pontoon’s exact location has not been established and vessels operating in Amu, Mtangawanda, Lamu East Islands and Lamu port have been urged to be on the lookout for the heavy metal.

The pontoon is a floatable heavy metal device that is connected to jetties and used as a landing site for boarding and alighting from boats.

“A pontoon [that] detached from its piles is floating with the currents posing a danger to safety of navigation in the said area. You are hereby notified of the danger and requested to keep a keen watch and be on the lookout for the pontoon to avoid possible injury, fatalities and or damage/ loss of vessels,” said a KMA statement.

JETTIES' RENOVATION

The Mtangawanda jetty pontoon has been in a poor state over the years.

In July this year, the government announced to have set aside Sh130 million for the general renovation of four key jetties in Lamu.

The jetties included the Mokowe Customs jetty, the Lamu Terminal jetty, the Manda Airport jetty and the Mtangawanda hetty.

Public Works structural engineer Hillary Nyaanga said renovation of the Mtangawanda jetty would involve rehabilitation of one of the rollers which lift the pontoon up and down during low and high tides.

TRANSPORTATION DISRUPTED

The recent detachment of the pontoon from the jetty has now adversely affected and disrupted boat transport for those travelling in and out of a number of Lamu East Islands including Mtangawanda, Pate, Kizingitini, Faza, Mbwajumwali and Tchundwa.

Speaking to the Nation in Lamu on Sunday, County KMA vessel inspector Alexander Munga insisted sea users should take the announcement concerning the detached pontoon seriously.

Mr Munga said the notice remains in force until the pontoon is located.

“This isn’t a joke. This object we are talking about is massive and can cause serious accident if it comes in contact with any sea vessel. People need to look out for that and should in fact report to us if they spot it,” said Mr Munga.

One of the elders in Lamu East Mr Khaldun Vae questioned why the government was taking too long to renovate the Mtangawanda jetty.

“Our MP Athman Sharif has been at the forefront in championing to ensuring the jetty is renovated. I am informed that money was set aside long time ago to rehabilitate the jetty but nothing has been done. We are very sad that a pontoon is left until it detaches itself from a jetty serving hundreds of locals daily. We need urgent intervention on this,” said Mr Vae.

Jetties are a crucial element in Lamu since they aid in movement of passengers and cargo in the region.

Almost all movement and transportation by Lamu residents is done by sea but many of the jetties in the county are in a dire need of renovation.