Ferry operators in a vessel plying the Mbita-Mfangano route in Lake Victoria were on Wednesday forced to change route after a lake upset.

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The vessel which was carrying ten people and a car was forced to change route due to strong winds as it was headed to Mbita from Mfangano island.

Consequently, the captain of the ferry that has a capacity of sixty persons opted to dock at Sienga in Rusinga to avoid a possible tragedy.

The incident was confirmed by Mbita Ferry Services' manager, James Orage.

He said that the captain was forced to make the move after twenty minutes of struggle as he tried to push the vessel through the rough waters despite the wind.

“The captain struggled for about 20 minutes to go through a rough section in the lake. He was approaching his destination in Mbita. 

He then changed his course when he realised that the ease of movement became tough,” he told the Nation.

Orage who termed such instances normal said that the captain was further pushed into docking for one hour at Sienga by frightened passengers who were growing restless.

This was after the machine stalled in the middle of the lake as the captain calculated his next move.

"The captain stopped for a while as he tried to make his way through the water to Mbita. However, some passengers who are not conversant with maritime [procedures] became frightened over what was going on,” he added.