The Works

| 2002 |

Now, do's and don'ts for ferry crew

The next time you enter into a ferry, don’t be surprised if a crew member greets you with a smile.

Or if you are late to work and you decide to force your two-wheeler on the gang-plank of a crowded ferry, rest assured the ferry will not leave the ramp.

The ferry mishap at Sarmanas-Bicholim on February 23 has prompted the River Navigation Department (RND) to issue a series of Do’s and Dont’s to all the coxswains and other crew on ferry boats.

And these are not mere guidelines. The RND has now threatened to initiate action against those found guilty of violating the instructions, which have been documented in the form of five circulars.

“Though many directives have been issued in the past, the department observed that instructions were not being followed by the coxswains, machinists, sailors and ticket collectors,” informed Captain of Ports Capt A P Mascarenhas, while speaking to Herald.

In fact, four of the five circulars were issued by the RND between 1991 and 1994. However, in the wake of the ferry mishap at Sarmanas-Bicholim, the RND decided to repeat the four circulars on March 1, while adding a new circular on March 7.

“These circulars have been given to all coxswains and other ferry crew, so that all instructions are strictly followed by them,” said Capt Mascarenhas.

“For instance, coxswains and other ferry crew are prevented from overloading the ferry. If motorists forcibly enter and overload the vessel, the ferry shall not be allowed to move from the ramp,” adds the Captain of Ports.

In the first circular, the coxswain and ferry crew are expected to ensure that life saving appliances and fire fighting equipment are in working condition, before the onset of the monsoon.

Other pre-monsoon precautions stipulated are checking of cracks in the decks and inspection of water in the tanks.

‘Ferries should not be overloaded beyond its capacity and the coxswain and crew shall be held responsible for any lapse on their part,’ the circular states.

The second circular stipulates that during foul weather, the capacity of the ferry should be reduced by one-third and in cases where there are gusty winds, the services should be temporarily stopped and that the police should be informed immediately.

‘Safety is the primary importance in maintaining these services,’ reads the circular.

In the third circular, the RND has informed coxswains and other ferry crew to report 10 minutes before the scheduled time for taking charge of the vessel.

But besides punctuality, the RND has also stressed on the character and attire of the ferry crew.

‘Coxswain and other ferry crew are prohibited from being under the influence of liquor while on duty, for which disciplinary action will be taken,’ warns the circular.

Despite supplying uniforms regularly to employees, the RND noticed that some employees did not wear the uniforms while on duty.

Threatening to view violation of the dress code seriously, the RND has also instructed that the badges should also be properly displayed on the uniforms.

In an effort to boost public relations, the RND has insisted that the ferry crew should always extend a helping hand to the aged and handicapped. ‘Be polite at all times’ is the motto for the crew.

The RND has come down strongly on ferry crew mishandling vessels, leading to many breakdowns of the engines and gear boxes.

‘Vessels are also grounded on the ramps or in the river due to reckless maneuvering of the vessels,’ notes the circular.

The RND has made it clear that coxswain and machinists shall be personally held responsible for any damage caused to the vessels due to their negligence, the cost of such damages shall be recovered from them.

There has also been a note of caution for passengers travelling in the ferries.

‘Passengers are prohibited from standing on the railings or staircase of the vessel, which may cause accident or drowning,’ states the circular.

While refraining motorists from parking two-wheelers on the ferry’s gang-plank, the RND has added that passengers are also prevented from entering the coxswain’s cabin or machinist engine room.

In its fourth circular, the RND has detailed the type of vehicles permitted in the ferry and the placement of the vehicles in the vessel.

Permitting loaded four wheelers with a maximum cargo load of three tonnes to cross the ferry, the RND has made it clear that the loaded vehicle should be kept properly in the middle of the board of the vessel for stability.

‘No other four-wheeler should be allowed along with the loaded vehicle,’ states the circular.

The RND has also instructed that loaded vehicles should not be permitted at peak hours from 7.30 am to 10.30 am and from 5 pm to 7.30 pm and that, bus operators should seek prior permission of Captain of Ports to allow mini-buses or buses to enter the ferry.

The RND has provided the detailed carrying capacity of all 45 ferries in the State in its fifth circular.

Ferries have been classified under the three categories of 10-tonne, 7-tonne and 4-tonne vessels.

The 10-tonne ferries are permitted to a maximum capacity of 6 cars or 150 passengers, while the 7-tonne ferries have a maximum capacity of 4 cars or 100 passengers. The smaller ferries can permit a maximum of two cars or 50 passengers.

The 29 ferries classified as 10-tonne vessels are the Tiswadi, Bicholim, Sattari, Quepem, Mormugao, Pernem, Ponda, Sanguem, Canacona, Diu, Calangute, Harmal, Chandor, Pilegao, Talpona, Dudsagar, Harvalem, Penha-de-France, Aguada, Zuari, Mandovi, Curchorem, Cumbarjua, Betul, Sal, Dona Paula, Curtorim, Colva and Divar.

The 12 ferries classified as 7-tonne vessels are the Pomburpa, Daman, Shiroda, Vagator, Bogmalo, Miramar, Chodan, Sancoale, Zorinto, Keri, Khandepar and Raia.

The four ferries classified as 4-tonne vessels are the Amona, Panaji, Marcela and Britona.

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