Sibu-Kuching express boat service suspended due to bad weather
SIBU: Sarawak Rivers Board ( SRB) yesterday confirmed that express boat service plying between Sibu and Kuching has been suspended for the Jan 10 to 14 period due to bad weather and choppy waters.
Notices have been put on the ticketing counter to inform commuters of the temporary disruption of service, according to SRB Sibu assistant controller ( Region II) Hatta Morshidi.
“Passengers’ safety is our top priority. Service for this sector ( Sibu/ Kuching) will resume on Jan 15,” he told The Borneo Post.
“There will be one boat from Kuching to Sibu on Jan 15, taking off at 8.30am. Another boat from Sibu to Kuching taking off at 11.30am also on Jan 15.
“There are only two boats operating the sector - Bahagia 1 and Bahagia 8. There is only one trip for Kuching/Sibu and Sibu/ Kuching sector daily, unlike the busy sector of Sibu/Song/Kapit,” he said, adding that Bahagia 1 can carry up to 178 passengers, while Bahagia 8 ferry a maximum of 208 passengers.
Hatta advised the public to call their operation office (084-316676) for further information.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Meteorological Department ( MET) yesterday issued a first category warning on strong winds and rough seas, where strong North-Easterly winds of 40- 50 kmph with waves up to 3.5 metres are expected to occur over the waters off Sarawak, Sabah (interior, West Coast and Kudat) and Labuan FT until Sunday (Jan 14).
Met also issued a weather warning alert, where heavy rain is expected over the states of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johore ( Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian Districts), Pahang ( Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, Bera and Jerantut Districts), Terengganu ( Dungun and Kemaman Districts) and Sarawak: Divisions of Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman, Samarahan, Serian and Kuching until today (Jan 13).