Kochi: The Kerala Ports Department has issued an “Alertness Notice” directing all boat operators in the Kochi backwaters not to operate services during adverse weather conditions in the monsoon. “A general direction has been issued to boat owners, tour operators and the State Water Transport Department to set in place a system to make available weather forecasts and desist from operating boats during adverse weather conditions in the Kochi backwaters,” said K.R. Vinod, Regional Port Officer.
Also, popular site seeing trips like the ‘Sun Set’ tours operated by the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) and private boats have been stopped since June 1. “No boat operation would be permitted near the sea mouth unless they obtain special clearance. Because of the tides and the resultant high waves, a boat journey is highly risky at this time. Strict monitoring and implementation of safety measures is being taken post the Fort Kochi Boat tragedy last year,” said another official of the Kerala Ports Department.
However, most boats fail to adhere to the safety mechanism. “There is a ban on taking tourists on the upper deck alone. But it is a regular sight to see tourist boats sailing with all the passengers in the upper deck and mostly at one side,” says an official of the State Water Transport Department.
The report submitted by former ADGP K. Padmankumar post the Fort Kochi boat tragedy is clear on this. “The tourist boats operating in the Kochi backwaters should carry only one-third of it passenger capacity in the upper deck. If more riders are allowed to travel in the upper deck or tourists crowd at one side of the boat, there’s a chance for the boats to lose stability and tilt,” it says.
Further, none of the tourist boats has a wireless system for sending messages in an emergency nor a twin engine as advocated in the report. “The condition of boats operated by the State Water Transport Department is also a cause for concern. Despite mandatory annual maintenance, many parts of the boats can be seen in a corroded state. We passengers request the authorities to take immediate steps in this regard,” said S. Padmanabha Mallya, Secretary, Paschimakochi Passengers Association.
