Likoni Ferry Explained

Likoni Ferry
Locale:Mombasa, Kenya
Waterway:Kilindini Harbour
Transit Type:Pedestrian and vehicular ferry
System Length:500m (1,600feet)
Vessels:MV Harambee
MV Pwani
MV Kilindini
MV Mvita
MV Nyayo
MV Likoni
MV Kwale
MV Jambo
Terminals:Mombasa island
Likoni
Operator:Kenya Ferry Services

The Likoni Ferry is a ferry service across Kilindini Harbour, serving the Kenyan city of Mombasa between Mombasa Island and the mainland suburb of Likoni. Double-ended ferries alternate across the harbour, carrying both road and foot traffic. The ferries are operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), and is the only remaining ferry service by KFS. The Likoni Ferry began operating in 1937.[1] Passenger services are free; vehicles (including tuktuks, motorcycles, and trucks) pay a toll.

The crossing is approximately .

Service

There are seven operating ferries. MV Mvita and MV Pwani were bought in 1969 and 1974, respectively; MV Nyayo, MV Harambee, and MV Kilindini were bought second hand in 1990. MV Kwale and MV Likoni were acquired in June 2010. MV Jambo was purchased from Türkiye in 2020.[2]

In 2010, Harambee, Nyayo, and Kilindini were deregistered from Lloyd's Register for being unseaworthy.[3] As late as May 2011, MV Nyayo was in still in use as the relief ferry.

The Dongo Kundu bypass is planned to ease the congested ferry by connecting . The road would run from Diani to Miritini, bypassing Mombasa itself.[4]

A direct bridge or tunnel from Likoni to Mombasa Island had also been proposed, but the high cost of building them has made these options unlikely.[5]

In 2018, the United States Department of State cautioned travellers against using the ferry due to safety concerns.[6]

Incidents

Mtongwe Disaster (1994)

On 29 April 1994, Mtongwe ferry bound for the mainland capsized from port, killing 272 of the 400 people on board.[7] [8] Following the disaster, it was reported that the capacity of the ship was 300. As of 2005, KFS had compensated 81 families a total of KSh 36,902,472 (US$486,840).[9]

Harambee incident (2019)

On 29 September 2019, 35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Wambua died after boarding Harambee when their Toyota Isis slipped off the back ramp into the harbour.[10] [11] [12] On 2 October, the rescue team used robots to locate the victims' bodies trapped in the car.[13] [14] On 9 October, the car and bodies were located at a depth of .[15] [16] They were recovered two days later.[17]

Fees

Motorcycles pay KSh 50, sedan cars pay KSh 120, minibuses pay KSh 600, and buses pay KSh 1,100.[18] Pedestrians and cyclists ride for free.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KFS History. www.kenyaferry.co.ke. 28 May 2020.
  2. News: Barasa . Lucas . New Likoni ferry, MV Jambo, leaves Turkey for Kenya . 6 July 2023 . Nation . 29 June 2020 . en.
  3. Daily Nation, 7 March 2010: New ferries no magic wand, say experts
  4. The Standard, 28 January 2010: A bypass might solve the ferry debacle
  5. Daily Nation, 7 March 2010: State sitting on grand proposals over ferry problems
  6. Web site: Kenya Travel Advisory . travel.state.gov . 6 July 2023.
  7. Daily Nation, Wednesday Magazine, 19 November 2003: The restless ghosts of Mtongwe
  8. Web site: Business. The East African. en. 29 May 2020.
  9. http://ferrynews.com/stories/kenyan-ferry-firm-compensates-tragedy-victims Kenyan ferry firm compensates tragedy victims — Ferrynews
  10. Web site: Search and rescue underway in Kenya after car plunges into ocean. The East African. 30 September 2019.
  11. Web site: Mother and daughters identified as victims of Likoni Ferry tragedy. Standard Media. 30 September 2019.
  12. Web site: Body of woman and daughter still trapped 60m underwater. Standard Media. 1 October 2019.
  13. Web site: State using robots to locate Likoni Ferry tragedy victims. Standard Media. 2 October 2019.
  14. Web site: Search for Sunday ferry tragedy victims widened to 9 probable locations. Capital FM Kenya. 2 October 2019.
  15. Web site: Divers locate car that slid off Kenyan ferry. The East African. 9 October 2019.
  16. Web site: Family of Likoni victims left frustrated as retrieval of bodies is delayed. Standard Media. 11 October 2019.
  17. Web site: Likoni Ferry Tragedy, Bodies Finally Retrieved [Video]]. Kahawa Tungu. 11 October 2019.
  18. Web site: KFS toll charges. 5 March 2019.