Sri Vijaya Puram, May 16: The Directorate of Shipping Services has announced revisions in the sailing schedules of several inter-island vessels due to administrative reasons and prevailing weather conditions.
According to officials, passengers have been advised to take note of the revised arrangements while planning their journeys. As per the revised schedule, MV Sentinel will operate in place of MV Bharat Seema on the Little Andaman route.
The vessel will sail from Sri Vijaya Puram to Little Andaman on May 22 at 9 pm and is scheduled to return from Little Andaman on May 23 at 8 am.
Passengers already holding tickets for MV Bharat Seema on the route have been advised to travel on MV Sentinel using the same tickets.
Similarly, MV Bharat Seema will now operate in place of MV Sentinel on the Diglipur route via Mayabunder. The vessel is scheduled to sail from Sri Vijaya Puram to Diglipur via Mayabunder on May 23 at 8 pm and will return from Diglipur on May 24 at 2 pm through the same route.
Passengers holding tickets for MV Sentinel on this route have been advised to utilise the services of MV Bharat Seema using their existing tickets.
Officials also stated that due to prevailing inclement weather conditions, vessel Sindhu will not call at Katchal Port during its scheduled voyage to Campbell Bay.
The vessel was originally scheduled to sail from Sri Vijaya Puram to Campbell Bay via Nancowry and Katchal on May 19 at 9 am and return on May 21 at 6 am.
Under the revised schedule, vessel Sindhu will now operate only via Nancowry and proceed directly to Campbell Bay without calling at Katchal.
According to the revised timings, the vessel will depart from Sri Vijaya Puram on May 19 at 9 am and return from Campbell Bay on May 21 at 8 am through the same route.
To facilitate the movement of passengers travelling to Katchal Island, authorities stated that alternative connectivity arrangements would be provided through MV Long Island stationed at Kamorta Island.
Officials said passengers travelling towards Katchal would be able to access onward movement between Kamorta and Katchal through the vessel.
Inter-island shipping services continue to remain an important mode of transportation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly for residents travelling between remote islands for essential services, education, healthcare and trade.
Weather conditions, sea state and operational requirements frequently influence ferry schedules across the island chain, especially during periods of rough sea conditions and changing monsoon patterns.
Passengers have been advised to remain updated through official announcements issued by the Directorate of Shipping Services regarding any further changes in vessel schedules or route operations.
