A SOCIAL activist is concerned that tourists are not wearing life jackets when they take Melaka River Cruise boat rides in Kampung Jawa.
He said he had noticed this on several occasions when he went for strolls along the riverbank.
He said the boat operators were responsible for passengers’ safety as the river cruise lasted 45 minutes.
Tourists can take the cruise from Muara Jetty, Taman Rempah Jetty and The Shore Jetty.
ACTIONLINE:
Actionline learnt that it was not compulsory for passengers taking the Melaka River Cruise boat rides to wear life jackets.
Melaka River and Coastal Development Corporation chief executive officer Nazary Ahmad, 40, said all river cruise boats were equipped with life jackets and two life buoys.
“We strictly follow our standard operating procedure, which is to provide safety protocol items to passengers.
“Staff members also give full instructions on safety measures before the start of each cruise.
“We also put the life jackets in a transparent container in front of the boat so that passengers can access them easily when the need arises.”
Nazary said boat operators of the Melaka River Cruise, which received between 10,000 and 15,000 passengers a month, allowed tourists the option of wearing life jackets.
“This is because some of them complain that it is too hot and smelly to wear the life jacket. So, we made it optional rather than force them to wear it.
“This is our 12th year of operating the river cruise and I am proud to say that we have not encountered any untoward incidents.”
He said boat operators and staff members were given safety training every three months.
“Two weeks ago, the Fire and Rescue Department conducted a safety training programme near Casa Del Rio, in which my staff members and I took part.”