Life jackets compulsory on boats from January 1

by Ananda Kannangara

The Disaster Management Ministry has warned owners of boats and fishing craft in the country that the provision of life saving jackets to persons travelling in their craft will be strictly implemented from January 1.

The decision was taken following the deaths of over 12 persons in the recent past in the Beruwela sea and Tissamaharama lake after their boats had capsised.

According to Police, both boats were overloaded at the time of the incidents and not a single passenger had worn life saving jackets. Ministry statistics reveal that over a 1,000 persons, especially schoolchildren, die and/or are injured as a result of drowning every year.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Observer that although his Ministry has repeatedly warned fishermen, boat and ferry travellers to use life saving jackets, many of them ignore such warnings and as a result, many lives are lost.

The Minister said if life saving jackets were worn by travellers in such craft, even in accidents, no lives would be lost. Minister Amaraweera said this matter was also brought to the notice of the Fisheries Ministry and strict laws will be taken against fishermen who violate the rule in future.

He advised fishermen to use life saving jackets while fishing in the high seas and in rivers and lakes.

The Minister also warned all private boat owners, mostly working for tourist hotels, to provide life saving jackets to travellers when operating pleasure trips and also warned travellers to refrain from getting on boats without wearing life saving jackets and consuming alcohol while travelling on boats.