THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is calling for increased vigilance from  the public with regard to conduct of speedboat and other vessels owners.Making the appeal, Director of Maritime Safety, Mr. Stephen Thomas, observed that the lives of persons travelling in the country’s waterways can be jeopardised and MARAD has established a hotline through which it can be alerted to any irregular and unsafe behaviour by boat operators.
He said the department, itself, is on heightened alert but would be grateful for any information which will assist it in monitoring safety on the waterways and taking the necessary measures to enhance it.
Thomas said passengers should be vigilant about the behaviour of operators under the influence of alcohol, without lifejackets and lights at night and/or any other action that could endanger their safety.
He identified the hotline number as 225-7330 and gave the assurance that the identity of callers and the information they give will be treated as confidential.
“We just want the basics like date, time, particulars of the undesirable behaviour, if possible, the name of the operator/and or the boat,” Thomas said.
He added: “We are geared to work in  collaboration with the police to investigate all such hotline reports from members of the public. We will take the necessary action against offenders on the basis of any report which has merit.”

(By Clifford Stanley)