The lack of resources and the precarious infrastructure compelled the Cuban government to implement a desperate solution to transport over 700 passengers between Nueva Gerona and Batabanó.
The ferry Perseverancia, the main vessel for this route, has been struggling to dock for weeks due to sediment buildup in the channel of the Batabanó port, exacerbated by the recent hurricane Rafael.
The lack of timely dredging, along with the absence of alternative vessels, has further deteriorated maritime transport.
The government's idea was to transport passengers on the ferry to the entrance of the Canal and transfer them to another vessel in the middle of the sea, as if they had onboard survival experts or highly trained military personnel.
Due to the impossibility of carrying out the planned transfer with catamarans, as the sea conditions did not ensure the feasibility of that endeavor, a decision was made to use an old tugboat, the Polar 11, which operated in an improvised manner to secure the ferry's docking with the engines turned off.
The captain of the ferry and the tugboat successfully achieved synchronization and were finally able to complete the operation, which allowed for the transportation of 430 passengers to Nueva Gerona and 361 to Batabanó.
Instead of modern ferries or suitable vessels, an old tugboat was the solution that saved the operation to ensure the transportation of passengers between the two cities, exposing the deep deficiencies of the transportation system in Cuba.
After weeks of suspension of maritime transport service between Nueva Gerona and Batabanó, passengers had been stranded for days with little hope of reaching their destinations. Among this group were vulnerable individuals, the elderly, and children, as well as cases of medical emergencies.
The Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, described the operation as an achievement of "perseverance," but behind his words lies a harsh reality.
In Cuba, there are no adequate resources or vessels. The lack of preventive planning forces Cubans to rely on improvised and risky solutions every day, in every imaginable scenario.
A collapsed public transport system
The maritime transport system is facing an imminent collapse. Repairs on the usual catamarans, which are essential for this route, have not been completed due to a lack of materials and key parts.
Meanwhile, the dredging of the port of Batabanó, described by the minister as "the true solution," is progressing slowly. It was announced that a dredger will be moved from La Coloma for this task, but no specific timelines have been established for the project's completion.
In contrast to the "sensitivity and responsibility" that the minister claims to have perceived in the officials, the reality for users is one of uncertainty, frustration, and distrust in a system that fails to meet their basic needs.
The inability to dredge the ports, keep the vessels operational, or manage effective solutions is not an isolated problem, but rather part of a systemic crisis affecting the entire nation.
Filed under: