| Achong Tanjong |
DESPITE constant warnings from the authorities, many water taxis, longboats and speedboats are still lacking in vital safety equipment, such as life jackets.
During an observation made by the Bulletin yesterday, it was evident that many boat passengers travelling along the Brunei waterways were not using life jackets, while the boat operators seemed unconcerned about safety issues.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) recently made it mandatory for all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets while operating or travelling by river transport, even on short journeys.
The MPABD has also teamed up with other enforcement agencies, such as the Marine Police of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), in ensuring that all riverboat journeys conform to the safety regulations, which includes conducting frequent checks and inspections.
Besides the wearing of life jackets, passengers are also required to give their full names and identity card numbers while travelling by boat to the Temburong District and vice-versa.
