SRB controller denies leak in Sibu-Kapit express boat
SIBU: Contrary to an allegation, there was no leakage in an express boat travelling from Sibu to Kapit on Jan 31, where it arrived safely on the same day.
Assuring that passengers’ safety is their top priority, Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) controller William Jinep explained to The Borneo Post that the purported leakage as posted by a Facebook (FB) user was actually water coming out from a blocked toilet bowl of the boat.
“The fact that the express boat arrived safely at its destination (Kapit) at 6.25pm on Jan 31 is a good proof that boat is not leaking,” he clarified.
“We have conducted very thorough investigation, including interviewing passengers, crew and skipper of the express boat following claims of leak in the express boat,” William added.
He argued that if there was a leakage, the express boat carrying 87 passengers could have sunk between Sibu and Kanowit, and there was no way it would have reached Kapit safely that day.
“If the boat leaked, there is no way the boat could have arrived in Kanowit safely. The trip from Sibu to Kanowit takes about one and a half hours. If it was leaking, the water could have filled up the whole boat,” he stressed.
An FB account holder had earlier claimed that there was a leakage in the express boat, which departed from Sibu at 2.30pm on Jan 31, and that the skipper had refused to stop the boat, causing some ‘jittery’ moments, which prompted passengers to ‘scold’ the skipper, asking him to stop at Kanowit.
In making the clarifications, Jinep said their investigation revealed that the crew, who discovered the problem, quickly alerted the skipper.
“According to the skipper’s statement - after being informed of water in compartment number 3, which is near the toilet – they decided to stop the boat at Kanowit for immediate inspection.
“All passengers were directed to leave the boat, while inspection was being carried out by the crew and SRB personnel. They thoroughly inspected the boat and found that it was not a leak. The water was flowing out from the toilet area and slightly affecting the passenger compartment, which was next to the toilet area.
“After pumping, the crew managed to remove the blockage from the toilet bowl - caused by pampers (diapers) trapped inside the toilet bowl. So, there was no leak at all. Therefore, it is not true as alleged in the FB posting the boat was asked to stop. The crew actually found about the problem (water flowing into the compartment next to the toilet area) and stopped the boat at Kanowit, where the problem was rectified,” he elaborated.
William said after pumping (out the blockage) and they were satisfied with the condition of the boat, which has the capacity to carry 100 passengers, the skipper decided to continue the journey from Kanowit at 4.15pm that day.
He added that there were very tight control measures at Sibu Express Boat Terminal.
Based on the report received, he said his men had conducted safety inspection and pre-departure inspection before they issued port clearance to the express boat.
“The conclusion from our investigation officer is that if the boat was leaking at Sibu Express Boat Terminal, our men could have detected it; even if there was water in it – our men could have detected it when they did the pre-departure inspection before issuing the port clearance.”
The port clearance would only be issued for the boat to leave if the board is satisfied with its safety compliance.
Nevertheless, he thanked the FB account holder for highlighting the matter and hoped the incident would be a lesson for passengers not to throw hard objects into the toilet bowl.
“Therefore, we advise passengers not to throw anything into the toilet bowl that can cause it to be blocked,” William said.
He called on members of the public to continue to be their ‘eyes and ears’ and report to them if they know of any noncompliance.
“We welcome feedback from passengers on safety operations of the boat,” he said.