100 Passenger Launch built by Colombo Dockyard provides great relief to Northern Peninsula Commuters

The 100 Passenger Launch built by Colombo Dockyard PLC for the Road Development Authority was handed over RDA on the 14th February 2011 at the ferry site in Jaffna. This Launch will be deployed by the RDA for transferring civilians from Kurikadduvan jetty of Punguduthive of Jaffna peninsula to Delft island an approximate distance of about 8 nautical miles one way. The highlight of this Passenger Launch is that, it is designed and has been built complying with local and international statutory regulations and modern day boat building practices, which will provide a safe and comfortable platform to the commuters. Sturdily built, the Passenger Launch is suitable for operation in the roughest weather conditions that could be encountered on the way in the Indian Ocean and will be a boost to the small fleet of Launches that are presently in operation and will certainly bring in great relief to thousands of northern commuters during this post war era.

 

The Passenger Launch made of all steel construction has a seating capacity for 100 passengers. The Launch is powered by two main engines driving two propellers and has a cruising speed of 10 knots and an endurance of 100 nautical miles.

 

The simple handing over ceremony in Kurikadduvan was attended by Hon Minister Douglas Devananda with three other parliamentarians, Mr. V. Tharmakulasingham (Additional Project Director RDA), Mr. M. Naliyadasan (Provincial Director RDA North), Mr. Sudarkar Chief Engineer (RDA) Jaffna, Civil Engineer Jaffna, Executive Engineer Jaffna, Senior Engineer (Mechanical) and a host of other officials. Mr. R.D.J. Sumanasiri (Special Projects Manager), Mr. M.A. Wijesiri (Asst. Projects & Engineering Manager (Electrical), Mr. U.M.D.S. Harischandra (Design Engineer) Mr. R.M.G. Bandara (Executive Asst, Special Projects) representing Colombo Dockyard participated at the ceremony.

 

The delivery of this Launch marks an important milestone, as this is the first project to kick off the ground at Colombo Dockyard’s newly acquired ‘Kelani River Yard’ in Mattakkuliya. Colombo Dockyard’s expansion of facilities to the ‘Kelani River Yard’ for construction of small ships and for pre-processing of steel plates and pipes intended for large ship construction will most certainly ease the congestion within the main Shipyard premises and will increase the overall efficiency and productivity of the yard.