Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
The new passenger and cargo ferry that replaced MV Rida Mbuya Nehand has received an overwhelming response from residents and businesspeople operating along Lake Kariba.
It started operating on Lake Kariba this Tuesday and has so far made two trips from Kariba Urban to King’s Camp (Kariba Rural), as it restores water transport on the busy Kariba-Chalala route.
MV Silverstone, operated by Most High Ferries, was officially launched in September and is expected to fill the gap left by MV Rida Mbuya Nehanda, which capsized on August 11, killing 97 people. The victims were coming from King’s Camp and heading towards Kariba urban when the incident occurred.
The MV Silverstone has the capacity to carry 60 passengers and four crew members, and was certified to transport both passengers and cargo.
It runs scheduled routes on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 am that directly connect Kariba Urban to Kings Camp.
In an interview, Most High Ferries director, Mr Hillard Mangove, said most people were happy with the restoration of the services along the Lake, a few months following the tragedy that claimed 97 lives.
The ferry carries at least 120 life jackets and floaters, almost double its passenger and crew capacity, while two speedboats will accompany the vessel.
The vessel operates along the Kariba-Chalala route, with stops at the Kings Camp Fishing Camp and Musambakaruma Fishing Camp.
A trip from Kariba to King’s Camp costs US$8, while passengers travelling to Musambakaruma pay US$13.
Those travelling to Chalala pay US$15.
A direct trip from Kariba to Chalala costs US$15.
The ferry has also been designed to support the local lake economy by transporting goods such as ice blocks for preserving fish, as well as the salt used in drying and preserving kapenta.
