The Mumbai Maritime authorities have made wearing of life jackets mandatory for all passengers on boat rides from the Gateway of India to prevent from tragedies in the future.
This development came a day after 14 people died in a fatal collision between a ferry, which was heading to Elephanta island, and a Navy craft near Gateway of India.
After the incident, authorities realised that rules mandating wearing of life jackets were not being enforced by ferry operators.
It is pertinent to note that on Thursday, December 19, visitors queued up as usual to board ferries. Most were out-of-towners, seemingly unfazed by news of the tragedy.
Devidas Jadhav, an assistant boat inspector deputed at the Gateway, told PTI that they have now made use of life jackets mandatory for those taking a ferry to Mandwa, Elephanta or for a ride off the harbour.
Jadhav, part of the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), is tasked with ensuring every passenger on such boats mandatorily wears a life jacket.
However, some tourists said that the life jackets would be of help only if people know how to use them. The authorities should instruct people how to use the life jackets in case of an emergency, they said.
Some survivors of the tragedy claimed the ferry did not have enough life jackets.
Boat owners from Bhaucha Dhakka (a wharf near the Dockyard Road) said they insist that people wear life jackets, but passengers are reluctant many a times, citing the reason that they feel uncomfortable due to excessive heat and sweat during humid conditions, though they could prove life-saving in case of an emergency.
Ferry boats operate from Bhaucha Dhakka to trans-harbour locations like Uran and Revas in neighbouring Raigad district.