THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), in the wake of recent speedboat collisions in the Mazaruni River, and another on the Pomeroon River that claimed the lives of 19 persons, began a safety campaign on Thursday.

The exercise commenced at Bartica, Supenaam, Charity, Georgetown, Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika stellings, to enforce the licensing of boats and their captains and ensure the proper use of emergency and fire equipment and life jackets.
At Parika, MARAD officials, with cadets, were seen coordinating the promotion of safety with boat operators and passengers and there were less than 20 defaulters at that port.
Some of those found at fault were given time to have their defects rectified by a prescribed time and boat builders got a number of small repair jobs.
Others, to comply with the regulations, were seen installing the required items on their vessels.
A river patrol was implemented Thursday and would see roaming presence on the Essequibo River where routine checks will be carried out.
MARAD official, Mr. Michael Tennant, in an invited comment, said the action is being undertaken to ensure the waterways are safe and, at the same time, enforce the laws governing the operations of passenger and other vessels.
He said the response has been commendable and MARAD hopes to continue both actions for a period.
A few passengers and boat operators, to whom the Guyana Chronicle spoke, indicated that effective monitoring, which includes the use of trained personnel, is needed to execute such functions.
They said there must be proper identification and clearly identified patrols and defaulting parties made an example to the public, so that a stern message leaves its impression on others.