Built as a ferry under yard no 428 by Ferguson Bros, Port Glasgow for the Government of Guyana.
23 July 1959 launched as the MAKOURIA, named after a stone quarry in the Essequibo region.
Tonnage 561 grt, 256 net, 377 dwt., dim. 184.3 x 39 x 7ft (draught).
Powered by two 6-cyl oil engines, 960 bhp., speed ? Engine was replaced in the 1990s by Damen at the Guyana National Engineering Corp. by two Caterpillar engines, each 294 kW., speed 10.2 knots.
Can carry 1.200 passengers and 25 cars.
September 1959 completed.
First used on the Demerara River crossings, by 2005 used on the Berbice River between Rosignol and New Amsterdam.
22June 1963 a group of saboteurs of the PNC planned to destroy the MAKOURIA when she was berthed alongside the ferry berth at Georgetown.
Two saboteurs were instructed to place dynamite sticks at the bow and the stern of the ship, but the plan failed instead the explosives were placed in the gantry and damaged the electrical mechanism of the gantry.
2009 She is still in service but due to her old age many times out of service with engine problems.
Guyana 1983 60c sg1128, scott343
Source: Guyana Post Office. Various web-sites.