Pilots to aid Mingun and Bagan Waterway

U Ye Tun Lin Aung, Assistant Director of Transport Division 5 (Navigation) of the Department of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems in Mandalay Region, announced a scheme to provide navigation specialists to assist passenger ships operating along the Mandalay-Mingun-Bagan route on the Ayeyawady River.
During the monsoon season, high water levels can pose challenges for navigating the river. Passenger vessels can now contact the Transport Division (Navigation) to hire qualified navigators for K3,000 per mile, ensuring a safer journey.
“We’ve seen a recent surge in passenger traffic between Mandalay Port and Mingun,” explained U Ye Tun Lin Aung. “The high water levels during the rainy season can be unfamiliar to boat captains who don’t typically have experience operating during this time. Our scheme will help them by providing professional pilots to guide their vessels. The fee is based on the distance travelled, with a rate of K3,000 per mile”.
The service is not limited to the Mandalay-Mingun-Bagan route. Navigators can also be hired for passenger and cargo vessels travelling from Mandalay to Bhamo. The Transport Division (Navigation) has already installed navigational signs along the Ayeyawady River for this route, and boat operators are advised to follow these markers for safe passage. — ASH/MKKS