Authorities beef up enforcement as boat services flout safety norms

A major tragedy was averted recently in Munroe Thuruthu when a Shikhara boat carrying tourists capsized close to the shore, allowing local residents to quickly intervene and rescue the passengers. However, the accident has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the critical safety lapses plaguing boat operations across Kerala. Investigations into the mishap revealed that the vessel was dangerously overloaded with passengers, far exceeding its permitted capacity. Exacerbating the risk, there were no trained crew members on board, and the boat’s survey certificate had already expired. Port department authorities had previously identified specific deficiencies during a safety evaluation and directed the owner to rectify them, but the boat was never brought back for inspection.

According to authorities, official procedures and investigations are currently under way regarding various incidents and Kerala Maritime Board has drastically strengthened its enforcement measures to curb violations. With the monsoon season set to intensify into its heaviest and most unpredictable phase, special enforcement teams have been strategically deployed across all major ports in the State. Authorities are adopting a zero-tolerance approach toward operators who compromise passenger safety; especially as turbulent weather increases the risk of capsizing and other mishaps. “Our teams are conducting random and surprise checks, resulting in numerous houseboats already being intercepted and penalised with fines. Of late, we have constituted more teams and tightened the regulatory framework. In India, Kerala has the best regulatory and enforcement mechanism,” says N.S. Pillai, chairperson, Kerala Maritime Board.

Most frequent violations

Officials point out that exceeding the passenger capacity set by stability surveyors and operating with expired Fire Safety Certificates are among the most critical and frequent violations. “An expired fire certificate means that essential firefighting equipment might fail to function during an emergency. Furthermore, delaying the mandatory periodic surveys prevents surveyors from detecting structural damage or hull leaks, both in and out of the dock, creating potential death traps,” says Comdt. Sreekumar G, Port Officer, Alappuzha. If major violations are detected during these surprise inspections, the vessel’s license will be suspended for a minimum of six months. In more severe cases involving grave negligence or repeat offenses, authorities will proceed with the total cancellation of the operating license to keep unsafe vessels off the water.

Alongside strict enforcement and heavy penalties, the Maritime Board is also launching extensive awareness campaigns for operators, recognising that the risk of accidents peaks when weather conditions deteriorate. “Ensuring a safe journey is a shared responsibility among boat owners, tour operators, and tourists. Tour operators hold the primary responsibility to prevent overcrowding and ensure no excess passengers are boarded. Simultaneously, tourists traveling with their families must perform a final check before taking off—verifying the boat’s capacity and strictly ensuring that the crew provides functional life jackets for everyone on board,” said Mr.Sreekumar.