Observe safety rules while at ocean, says KMA

A boat ferrying a survivor and rescuers move along the Jomvu beach creek where a boat ferrying eleven people capsized. Some were rescued while two were still missing. [File, Standard]

The Kenya Maritime Authority has urged visitors to the Coast to observe safety precautions and regulations to avoid accidents during the festive season.

The maritime regulator says there has been increase in the number of mishaps in the Indian Ocean and inland waters due to low compliance to its regulations.

KMA Director-General George Okong’o urged local and foreign tourists visiting the beaches and other water-based recreational facilities for leisure and sports to be extra cautious.

“It is important for every holidaymaker to comply with water safety guidelines since accidents may occur, especially due to inadequate knowledge on water safety fundamentals and non-compliant vessel operators,” said Major (Rtd) Okong’o.

Compliance

He said maritime accidents on Kenyan waters had been progressively increasing in the past 10 years, with 50 per cent of them involving capsizing of vessels and 40 per cent drowning from non-seaworthy vessels.

He linked these accidents to low levels of compliance to maritime safety regulations by vessel owners and operators.

Okong’o added that those boarding vessels or boats for recreational sails or for water transport needed to ensure they wore life jackets at all times while sailing.

“The public is advised to board only seaworthy vessels that are insured and licensed by KMA,” he said.

Boat and vessel owners and operators were urged to ensure their vessels are duly licensed “in line with the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009, Section 57 (1)”. 

He warned those operating unlicensed vessels that failure to comply would lead to prosecution.

“Boat and vessel owners and operators are also required to ensure that there are sufficient life jackets, safety equipment and sufficient communication devices onboard,” he said.

They were also encouraged to provide basic water safety briefings and guidelines to passengers onboard to assist save lives in case of emergency.

At the same time, the regulator notified all mariners, fisher folk, speedboat operators, pleasure crafts, passengers and the general public to stay abreast with weather forecasts and tides bulletins in order to take extra caution when sailing.

“This will avoid venturing into the open seas during periods of strong winds, strong waves, heavy currents and reduced visibility that may contribute to loss of life and property through collision and capsizing of vessels at sea,” he said.

Okong’o said KMA’s Regional Maritime Rescue Centre, which is manned 24 hours, would continue to respond to maritime incidents.

In case of any emergency at sea or oil spill cases, the public can contact the centre through its emergency line 0721368313 or 0737-719414.

One of the Authority’s key mandates is to ensure maritime safety and security on Kenyan waters in line with the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009.

“The Authority will continue to strengthen the maritime regulatory framework and ensure compliance to maritime safety regulations to reduce the number of water related accidents,” he said.