The machine is durable, although it is already old — it is thirty years old.
Photo: BelTA
In the Vitebsk district, a boat named "Titanic" sails along the Daugava river. Its main task is to transport residents of Surazh from one bank of the urban settlement to the other, writes BelTA.
Surazh is divided by the river into two unequal parts. A total of 773 people live here, about 40 of them on the smaller part of the settlement. Water transport helps people get from one bank to the other.
As Yury Sarokin, deputy head of the Housing and Repair and Operational Enterprise of Vitebsk district, said, people are transported either by a boat or a ferry.
"The 'Titanic' operates on the Daugava river when the water level in the river rises. This usually happens in spring or during periods of heavy rain," he specified.
A regular passenger of the "Titanic" is Iryna Douchaya. "I work in the Surazh library. Every day I have to get to work across the river. It's good that there is an opportunity to cross by boat. The detour by road is long, through Ruba, about 100 km," she said.
Motorist Anton Belausau has been operating the "Titanic" for more than 15 years.
"The machine is durable, although it is already old — it is thirty years old. However, it reliably performs its function — transporting people. It can carry 10 people. The boat also serves to tow other water transport. By the way, the 'Titanic' even has a cabin, if necessary, you can rest there," he said.
When the water level in the river decreases, the ferry will start operating. "Its capacity is significantly larger. It serves to transport not only people but also vehicles. In 2020, it underwent modernization — the carrying capacity increased to 120 tons. Today, even log trucks and combine harvesters can be transported without hindrance," Yury Sarokin added.
The navigation period for the ferry is quite long. Last year it ended in late December, this year it started on April 1. However, local residents hope that someday a bridge will connect the two banks of the urban settlement.
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