PANJIM: While drifting of the ferry boat on Panjim-Betim route has thrown questions on the safety of commuters, the River & Navigation Department (RND) claims that every boat is fitted with life saving apparatus.
“Life saving apparatus like ring buoys and four life rafts are always there in each and every ferry boat. These are enough to rescue over 100 passengers,” said a senior RND officer. Reiterating that the incident on Thursday was not due to any technical fault, the officer stated that their team on board swing into action during every emergency situation. However, in the latest case the local administration along with the police and fire safety officials were in fact actively involved in the rescue mission. It was finally the Marine Police sleuths who safely brought all the passengers on land.
“The coxswain, two sailors and a technician on board each boat are qualified in life saving. At the time of recruitment they undergo an extensive training in Maritime School. They are also trained to use the life saving apparatus,” he said.
The RND reportedly lacks boats or tugs that could be used for any rescue operation as incidents like this are though rare, occurs nearly every year or so. Asked about vehicles of Deltin off shore casino roped-in to ferry the commuters, the officer denied that RND has any responsibility of commuters on land. “We are concerned with the safety of passengers while they are on board only,” he clarified.
With over 1 lakh commuters using the passenger boats on 18 different routes every day, there is however no insurance for them which the RND clarifies, does not deal with it.
