Conduct safety demonstrations on express boats, says Entri

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MIRI: Express boat operators should conduct safety demonstrations to show passengers how to wear life jackets as well as identify the locations of emergency exits.

PRIORITISE SAFETY: Express boats at the Kuala Baram jetty.

Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Sylvester Entri Muran said that such demonstrations should be made every time passengers embark.

“Passengers must be briefed by an attendant on safety aspects through the microphone before starting the journey as to ensure they know what to do during emergencies,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He said the Sungai Kakus tragedy should serve as a lesson for safety to be prioritised.

He suggested express boat operators follow the safety briefings on airlines, where flight attendants demonstrate how to wear life jackets and show the locations of emergency exits.

“These safety aspects must come first and be applied by all express boat operators and not just let passengers come in and just sit down without knowing what to do during emergencies,” he added.

Entri, who is Marudi assemblyman, also called on the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and Marine Department to fully enforce existing laws.

He said they should regularly check express boats and their crew to ensure they are licensed to operate. At the same time, he said, the authorities concerned must check that each passenger has a life jacket before the express boats begin their journeys.

As the Marudi constituency still relies on river transport, he said, all parties must work to prevent further untoward incidents and loss of life.

Meanwhile, when commenting on the recent tragedy, Kuala Baram express boat attendant Soon Kai said the captain must be responsible and should know when to accelerate and when to slow down.

The captain manoeuvring the express boat must also know where the dangerous bends are along the route, as well as sand bars, he said.

A passenger bound for Kejaman in Marudi, Ramba Usan, said people in his area have gotten used to travelling by express boat from Kuala Baram to Marudi. The 65-year-old said the Sungai Kakus tragedy has not prevented them from using express boats.

“We are already used to the river journey. However, we hope the authorities concerned will enforce better safety aspects,” he said.