Meeswijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -Maintenance on the ferry from Meeswijk in Maasmechelen requires service removal during this week. Repairs have begun on the driving flaps of the ferry because inspectors found rust spots along with holes.
The car ferry service in Meeswijk, Maasmechelen, remains closed for maintenance because inspectors found rusted holes in its travelling ramps. The vehicle ferry maintenance will continue until Friday, resulting in service interruptions. The repair procedure requires that inspectors clean existing driving flaps before adding welded replacement plates to the damaged sections. Specifically, this week’s selection for maintenance operations coincides with the carnival to minimise user disturbances.
The inspection team discovered major rust deterioration and holes in the ferry’s driving flaps during their monthly visit last month. Petra Paulus from the car ferry indicated that
“Some rust marks appeared scattered throughout while we discovered holes in certain locations.”
We decided to handle the situation properly instead of applying temporary fixes to only a few damaged areas.
The driving flaps received a thorough cleaning last week, followed by a new plate installation that commenced this week. Paulus added,
“We hope that these flaps will last another 10 years.”
Unfavourable weather conditions resulted in a delay of repairs during the initial inspection period.
What is the history behind the Meeswijk car ferry repairs?
Meeswijk car ferry operates at Maasmechelen to provide essential river access for local people and travellers who need daily river crossings across the Maas River. The ferry undergoes scheduled maintenance practices with yearly examination requirements. Safety and operational effectiveness form the basis of this maintenance schedule.
The driving flaps received attention during the inspection last month because inspectors located multiple areas of rust and holes that required major structural repairs. Ferries in water-exposed conditions frequently develop these types of maintenance issues because of environmental factors. The maintenance operations scheduled this week coincide with the carnival season to minimise disturbances to the everyday ferry service.
