SRB begins operation to ensure incidentfree Christmas trips
SIBU: Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) is mounting the first phase of its Christmas operation for Sibu region, starting today till Dec 24, in anticipation of the annual festive exodus to ensure an incident-free celebration.
The ` balik kampung’ crowd is expected to soar in the run-up to the celebration with enforcement tightened at both Sibu Express Boat Terminal and the wharf along Khoo Peng Loong Road here.
The express boat terminal here handled 5,662 passengers between Dec 15 and 17. From that figure, arrivals accounted for 3,477 whereas departures, 2,185.
According to SRB assistant controller (region II) Christopher Chan, their operation will not only be confined to checks for safety compliance among express boats but private boats/ longboats as well.
“Our simultaneous checks on open private boats/longboats are to ensure they take care of their safety by putting on life jackets when travelling by river and not to overload their boats especially at this time of the year, the landas season,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Chan said phase two of the operation covers the year- end period from Dec 31, 2016 to Jan 2, 2017 where people will be returning to work and children starting the new school term.
Our simultaneous checks on open private boats/longboats are to ensure they take care of their safety by putting on life jackets when travelling by river and not to overload their boats especially at this time of the year, the landas season. Christopher Chan, SRB assistant controller (region II)
Dwelling on their safety measures, he said as usual the ` No Ticket, No Entry’ policy is stringently enforced at the terminal where those without tickets would be refused entry to the departure zone.
The board also checks on life jackets, which are either placed on the overhead shelf or beneath passengers’ seats during the predeparture inspection. The boats would not be issued with departure pass and disallowed to depart from the terminal if they do not comply with safety requirements.
Meanwhile, asked on the number of additional trips approved to cater for celebrants returning home for the festive celebration, Chan disclosed as of now, no additional trip was requested by operators.
Towards this end, he commended the boat operators for giving good cooperation to the board, calling for such efforts to be sustained for a win-win situation.
Recently, Assistant Minister for River Transportation and Safety LiwanLagang called forpassengers to make wearing of lifejackets as a culture in the wake of a surge in travelling by rivers due to the coming Christmas celebration and the school holidays.
His advice came following three boat-related incidents that happened in Miri, Song and Bintangor.
Liwan had pointed out most of the boats in rural areas were privately owned and they were quite small, adding that the water current in these areas were quite swift.
“So, to me - life jacket is a must. Don’t think that you can swim because when an incident occurs, and when you are in the water, you might just panic and take in water - that will weaken you although you are a good swimmer.
“Therefore, at all times, upon stepping into the boat, I think we should make it as a culture that we must use life jacket. No life jacket, then look for one,” the Belaga assemblyman advised.
An observation at the express boat terminal yesterday noted the passenger volume was slowly picking up with more expected over in the next few days.