Most ferries do not have life jackets and fire extinguishers; nor do they check ID cards of passengers
Ferry services at Versova, Madh, Marve, Manori, Gorai, Arnala and the Gateway of India are operating with blatant disregard to the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB)'s safety and security regulations, putting passengers' lives at risk. When this newspaper visited these sites, boats were overcrowded with passengers beyond permitted capacity, there were no life jackets and fire extinguishers, and the mandatory checking of passenger's ID cards was not being carried out. To make matters worse, the ferries were transporting a large number of two-wheelers, without any regard to the weight allowed.
DNA visited ferries which transport passengers from Versova to Madh, Marve to Manori, Gorai Jetty to Gorai Creek (Borivli), Arnala Village to Arnala Fort and the Gateway of India towards Mandwa, Elephanta Islands and Alibaug.
Ferry boats that transport passengers from Versova to Madh and Marve to Manori were overcrowded. The operators did not keep a tab on the number of bikes that were ferried on the trawlers. Over 10 two-wheelers were transported on board the Marve to Manori ferry along with passengers.
When asked about the overcrowding issue, Rocky Koli, Chairman of the Manori Koli Gramastha Mandal, which operates ferries from Marve to Manori, said, "We cannot stop anyone from boarding the ferry, but we keep a check on the total number of vehicles being ferried from one shore to another."
Damodar Tandel, President of the Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti (AMMKS) said, "Though safety norms have been laid down by the MMB, it becomes difficult to ask passengers to wear life jackets. The other safety norms like wireless messengers are in place and tyres or floaters are attached to the boats."
The Arnala jetty services run by the Arnala Grampanchayat has little regard for passengers' safety. The small diesel boat which operates between Arnala Village and Arnala Fort was overcrowded, and with no jetty near the shore, passengers have to wade through knee-deep water. No life jackets were given nor there were barriers on the boat for protection.
Shockingly, blatant rules of safety were violated on the longer route ferries that take an hour to reach Alibaug, JNPT and Mandwa. The ferry ride from the Gateway of India was not overcrowded, but basic life-saving amenities were missing. Life jackets and fire extinguishers were missing, even while diesel containers are carried on board.
Although it is mandatory for operators to make mention about the number of people alighting the boat, none of the tickets had details about the rules prescribed by the MMB. "We conduct checks on boats ferrying passengers. They have suspension floaters which can be used to save lives. Boat operators should follow safety norms. We on our part will ensure passengers wear life jackets," said SS Pimple, Port Inspector, Gateway of India.
Atul Patne, Chief Executive Officer, MMB said, "We conduct safety checks on ferries annually. If they flout rules, we revoke their licenses. The ferry services presently operating at the jetties should ensure safety norms are followed".
SAFETY CHECK
Versova to Madh
Life jackets: Yes
Overcrowding: Above limit
Fire Extinguishers: Yes
Inflatable rafts: No
Life guards:
Vehicle transportation: No check
Security check: None
Serial number of passengers on tickets: None
Marve to Manori
Life jackets: No
Overcrowding: Above limit
Fire extinguishers: No
Inflatable rafts: No
Lifeguards: None
Vehicle transportation: No check
Security check: None
Serial number of passengers on tickets: None
Gorai Jetty to Gorai Creek
Life jackets: No
Overcrowding: No
Fire extinguishers: No
Inflatable rafts: No
Lifeguards: None
Vehicle transportation: No check
Security check: None
Serial number of passengers on tickets: None
Arnala Village to Arnala Fort
Life jackets: No
Overcrowding: Above limit
Fire extinguishers: No
Inflatable rafts: No
Lifeguards: None
Security check: No
Serial number of passengers on tickets: No tickets
Gateway of India to Mandwa, Alibaug, JNPT, Elephanta
Life jackets: Yes (not on all boats)
Overcrowding: No
Fire extinguishers: Yes
Inflatable rafts: None (floaters present)
Lifeguards: None
Security check: No
Serial number of passengers on tickets: No
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