Service could resume by Monday if owners comply with permit regulations.
The Stone Island boarding dock for pangas crossing the inlet from the island to the mainland and back was closed yesterday by Mazatlán’s Port Captain suspending transportation of people and merchandise until further notice.
Port Captain Gustavo Gómez Rangel said the 12 panga owners operating from the dock had not renewed their permits which were now five months in arrears. The service could resume by Monday, he said, if owners comply with permit regulations.
Passengers waiting to return to Stone Island waited in vain.
He told reporters the Secretary of Communication and Transport had given extensions for payment from March this year on the promise from panga owners to present documentation as soon as possible and to avoid interruption of service for Stone Island residents and visitors.
However, a month ago there was an accident on one of the boats that was not reported to the Port Captain. Since the owner did not have accident insurance, he asked the passengers to pay for the damage to the boat and reported the incident to the Ministerio Público.
(Without insurance) pangas do not have permission to transport tourists or others, said Gómez Rangel. It is not permitted, he reiterated, adding the extension was given so as not to affect their work or the people of Stone Island. As to the accident, instead of notifying the Port Authority they contacted the Ministerio Público.
Among the most important requisites for a panga permit to carry passengers are a third person insurance liability policy, a maritime security permit and the payment of 1,200 pesos.
The suspension of service from the boarding dock forced residents returning to the island to take a taxi or pulmonia to the La Puntilla dock beside the ferry dock where pangas transport visitors and residents to the Stone Island beach area.
(from Noroeste)
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