Marine Drive Private Boats Flout Safety Regulations

Quick Summary

• The Justice V.K. Mohanan Commission is conducting a public hearing as part of the investigation into the 2023 Tanur boat tragedy.
• Despite past tragedies, private leisure boats at Marine Drive (Kochi) frequently violate safety rules, with overcrowding on upper decks and passengers not wearing life jackets.
• Saju T.B., secretary of Marine Drive Tourist Boat Association, stated life jacket usage isn’t mandatory on larger vessels unless accessible points for retrieval are provided; he attributed violations to occasional oversight by operators.
• K. Sivaprasad, Professor of Ship Technology, refuted Saju’s claim regarding passenger capacity violation rules, stating international safety guidelines strictly regulate capacities per deck for vessels.
• Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) has intensified enforcement efforts by conducting inspections and special drives under the Inland Vessels act 2021 but acknowledged loopholes still needed addressing.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The recurring issue of safety violations among leisure boats highlights a concerning gap in implementation despite the enactment of stricter maritime regulations like the Inland Vessels Act 2021. While enforcement drives conducted by KMB are important steps forward and reflect progress in regulatory vigilance, the persistence of violations suggests deeper systemic or operational challenges within local marine transport management frameworks.Authorities must prioritize public awareness alongside monitoring measures to foster a culture where both operators and passengers adhere to safety norms consistently rather than relying solely on punitive actions after incidents occur.Read more: https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png