In the wake of a tragic ferry collision with a Navy craft off the Mumbai coast that claimed 14 lives, authorities have implemented stringent safety measures, making life jackets mandatory for all boat passengers departing from the Gateway of India.
Devidas Jadhav, Assistant Boat Inspector from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), said, “We have made the use of life jackets mandatory for every passenger taking ferry boats to destinations such as Mandva, Elephanta Island, or for short rides off Mumbai harbour.” Jadhav is tasked with ensuring compliance with the new regulation.
Survivors of Wednesday’s tragedy, in which the ferry 'Neel Kamal' carrying over 100 passengers collided with a Navy craft conducting engine trials, claimed there were insufficient life jackets on board.
Of the 113 individuals on both vessels, 14 lives were lost, while nearly 100 were rescued.
The deceased included a Navy personnel and two contractual naval employees.
Boat owners, however, expressed challenges in enforcing the regulation. Sameer Bamane, a boat owner, remarked, “Passengers are often reluctant to wear life jackets, citing discomfort from heat and sweat. Yet, the same individuals wear them without complaint in countries like Singapore or Malaysia, where enforcement is strict.”
Azahar Mulla, owner of the ferry ‘Aayesha’, noted passengers often disregard instructions. “They comply when MMB personnel are present at the jetty but remove the jackets as soon as they are offshore,” he claimed.
The MMB has intensified monitoring efforts, ensuring adherence to the life jacket rule and prohibiting passengers from accessing upper decks on ferries.
A source at Bhaucha Dhakka, a wharf near Dockyard Road, confirmed that strict measures are being enforced to prioritise safety.
Some passengers, however, believe merely wearing life jackets is insufficient. Suyesh Sharma, a tourist from Chhattisgarh, stated, “Life jackets could prove helpful only when you know how to use them. Authorities should also tell people how to use them in case of emergency.”
Sangeeta Dalvi, travelling to Mandva with her husband, stressed the importance of compliance, saying, “Passengers must use life jackets as they can save lives. Such tragedies do not happen every day. We should not be afraid to travel by sea.”
Meanwhile, an interim report on the collision was submitted by the MMB to the state government.
The board also issued a show-cause notice to the owner of the ill-fated ferry, seeking an explanation for the tragedy. MMB officials have refrained from public comment on the matter.
The incident has cast a spotlight on maritime safety and the need for enhanced awareness.
The new rules are expected to mitigate risks and ensure passenger safety in the future.
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