| James Kon |
THE Maritime and Ports Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) is stepping up on efforts in ensuring that boat journeys on the Brunei waterways conform to safety regulations, including frequent checks on both the drivers and passengers.
In an interview with the Bulletin yesterday, Chief Executive of MPABD Haji Mohd Salihin bin Haji Aspar disclosed that they have teamed up with other enforcement agencies, such as the Marine Police branch of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), in making sure that boat passengers wear the mandatory lifejackets.
Speaking at the Temburong Boat Jetty in the capital, he said, “Lifejackets can be life-savers, especially when there is an emergency on the waterways. They are designed to prevent a person from drowning, and allow him to stay afloat until help arrives.”
Beside lifejackets, he said, “We are also focussing on the passenger list, where passengers are required to write their full names and identity card numbers.”
Meanwhile, Phuoc Huu Phuot, one of the Vietnamese tourists on board a ferry bound for Temburong District, said, “The river trip to Temburong appears to be safe. The boat is in good conditions and we are required to use lifejackets.”
“In my country, where there are many rivers, boat passengers are always required to wear lifejackets,” he added.
Phouc and his friends are on a three-day tour of Brunei, which includes a visit to Temburong’s forest reserves.
