Tourism News South Africa

Robben Island ferries outsourced

The Robben Island Museum, embarrassed by consistent breakdowns of its ferry service, have handed the responsibility to a private company that has been tasked with providing a reliable service that will allow tourists to visit the heritage site.

The Museum's chief executive, Sibongiseni Mkhize says that following talks with the National Treasury, a public-private partnership will be established to decide if the three boats could be "better run by people in the business of providing ferry services".

Times Live says that the R26-million, 300-seat ferry, the Sikhululekile broke down seven times between 2008 and 2010 costing the Museum about R7-million in lost revenue after being out of action for 70 days.

The smaller Susan Kruger and Dias ferries are not able to cope with the number of visitors and the museum has been forced to charter private ferries to get people to the island.

It costs the museum about R15-million a year to operate the ferries.

Read the full article on www.timeslive.co.za.

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