Lok Sabha Question No. 2107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Unlicenced Ferry Services
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2107

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2023

## UNLICENCED FERRY SERVICES

2107. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोतपįरवहनऔरजलमागŊमंũी

- (a) whether the Government has any data on the number of ferry accidents that have taken place in the country in 2022-23;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has any data on the number of unlicensed inland water ferries and ferries without proper safety measures in place; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) & (b)Data on the number of ferry accidents that have taken place in the country in 2022-23 are not maintained by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)/Central Government. The non-mechanically propelled inland vessels/boats and operation of ferry service are in the domain of State Governments
- (c) Unlicensed  inland  water  ferries  and  ferries  without  proper  safety  measures are in the purview of concerned State Governments. No such data is maintained by Central Government.
- (d) The Central Government has framed rules under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 for  Life  Saving  Appliances  and Fire fighting  Appliances to  be carried  on board  the inland vessels registered under this Act, and also prescribed Safe Navigation and, Communication and Signals Rules 2022, the responsibility of the implementation of rules and regulations related to safety of inland vessels primarily rests with the State Governments. The responsibility of issue of Survey and Registration Certificates of inland vessels plying in rivers, lakes etc. also lies with the State Governments as per Inland Vessels Act, 2021.

The compulsory safety devices while ferrying passengers and goods as listed in  National  Disaster  Management  Guidelines  on  Boat  Safety  (September  2017) issued  by  NDMA,  Govt.  of  India  is  at Annexxure-1 for  strict  adherence  by  the concerned States as the operation of Ferries is mandated with States as per State Ferry Acts.

## Excerpts fromNational Disaster Management Guidelines on Boat Safety issued in September 2017 by National Disaster Management Authority

## 3.4 Safety standards for Non-mechanized Boats

## 3.4.1 Life Saving Equipment

Every  boat  should  have  approved  lifesaving  equipment  sufficient  for  the number  of  persons  that  can  be  carried.  IRS/MMD  approved  lifesaving appliances such as life jackets, life buoy etc. confirming to latest SOLAS/LSA Code requirement along with identification/marking details on the product.

## 3.4.1.1 Life buoys

It  is  recommended  that  at  least  one  lifebuoy  should  be  provided  for every 5 passengers, with a minimum of 2 lifebuoys on the boat.

## 3.4.1.2 Life jackets:

In general, life jackets are not required for boats operating in the calm water. However, it is recommended that as a good practice, passengers should be provided life jackets before the journey begins. All the lifesaving appliances should  be properly  maintained  and periodically serviced based on the recommendations by the manufacturing company.

3.4.1.3First Aid Box should  be kept essentially in every boat with all the emergency first aid equipment and medications to be used in case of emergency.

## 3.4.2 Fire Safety

At least one multipurpose portable fire extinguisher of a recognized standard should be carried in all the vessels navigating in inland waterways. In order to prevent fire accidents, it is strongly suggested that the following items should be prohibited to be carried on boats.

- a) Lamps powered by liquefied gas or liquid oil
- b) Vaporizing oil burner stoves
- c) Solid fuel heaters
- d) Devices fitted with wick burners
- e) Liquefied gas devices

All  the  boat  operators  should  display  posters  on  board  indicating  items prohibited to be carried in the vessels. Smoking shall be strictly prohibited in the boats.

## 3.4.3 Navigation and Communication

## 3.4.3.1. Navigation lights and Sound signals

The  Vessels  operating  at  night  should  be  equipped  with  navigation lights as required by the local authority. This may enable ferry/vessels operators  to  get  acquaintance  with  the  routes  or  possible  dangers during  navigation.  The  appropriate  sound  signaling  equipment should also be provided in all vessels.

## 3.4.3.2. Communication Equipment

In  order  to  disseminate  distress  communication,  all  boat  operators should carry emergency communication equipment. The mobile phones are normally sufficient for this purpose provided operation area has  signal  coverage.  In  other  cases  portable  VHF  may  be  required. The authorities to be informed in case of emergency should be clearly indicated on board .The communication equipment  for receiving weather  forecast  and  warnings  are  also  essential  depending  on  the area of operation. This may be arranged at the landing points onshore and boat operators be informed by the administrative authorities.

## 3.4.4. Anchoring and Mooring

In  order  to  prevent  drifting  of  vessels  in  the  area  of  operations  during  calm weather in general and cyclonic conditions in particular, it is essential to keep suitable anchoring equipment on board like Anchors, Cables and Ropes etc. The anchoring arrangements may be helpful for holding the boats especially during unstable weather conditions. The Mooring arrangements consisting of bollards  or  cleats  and  mooring  ropes  are  to  be  provided  suitably  for  the vessel.

## 3.5. Safety standards for Mechanized Boats

In mechanized boats, safety standards must be followed as the top priority especially to ensure that machinery failure is avoided to avert potential disasters. It must also be  ensured  that  propulsion  machinery  is  reliable  and  may  not  be  stranded  in  mid waterways due to machinery failure. An important  safety  measure  for  mechanized boats is the possibility to apply reverse thrust which may be achieved by means of gears that may enable boat operators to quickly stop the boat for avoiding possible collision. In addition, prevention of fire and explosion in boats should also be ensured important safety measures for mechanical boats.

In order to maintain general safety measures in mechanized boats, the major thrust should  be  on  protecting  people  from  the  imminent  danger  of  machineries.  The moving  parts  and  hot  surfaces  are  to  be  protected  so  as  to  minimize  danger  to people  during  normal  movement  of  vessels.  All  fuel  tank  vents  should  be  fitted with'flame  gauze'  and  carried  above  the  tank  top  level,  to  above  a  height  of personnel  standing  next  to  the  engine  or  to  a  level  where  there  is  no  danger  of escaping fuel or vapour. A valve or cock, which can be shut from a position outside the engine space should be fitted in the fuel feed pipe, as close to the fuel tanks as possible.  Petrol  tanks  for  outboard  motors  should  have  quick  connection  shutoff devices.

## 3.5.1 Safety measures for fuel storage

In  mechanized  boats,  safety  measures  for  fuel  storage  tanks  should  be undertaken  with  utmost  caution  and  safety.  The  following  precautions  are recommended for fire safety of storage tanks in mechanized boats.

·  The  storage  container  should  be  composed  of  metal  and  fitted  in  such  a manner that the possibility of leaks/spills may be averted.

· The container should be stored upright and secured to prevent shifting or fall over with the movement of the vessel. They should also be located away from the direct sources of heat and should be made of fire resistant materials.

·  The  container  should  be  properly  labeled according  to  contents  like materials stored, hazard signs, no smoking/ignition sources etc.

## 3.5.2 Safety Measures for Petrol Engines and Petrol Fuels

The fixed petrol tanks of more than 2.5 liters should not be located within one meter of any engine or heating appliance unless insulated and protected by fire resistant materials. It is recommended not to use glass or plastic fuel sight gauges  .The  fuel  level  indicators  should  be  designed  in  such  a  way  that  it should not allow fuel to escape in the event of damage. All the fixed fuel feed pipes should be of metallic type. The flexible pipes should be of fire resistant materials.

## 3.5.3 Charging Devices

Arrangements of charging facilities for batteries should be ensured on board, so that boats machineries are started /operated through batteries smoothly. In other boats where battery is the sole means of starting the engine, provisions be made duplicate batteries with change over switches for emergency uses.

## 3.5.4 Lighting Arrangements

When  lighting  within  the  vessel  is  provided  through  a  centralized  electrical system , an alternative source of lighting should be provided for emergency use  .  This  may  be  ensured  by  means  of  torches  provided  on  board. Alternative  source  of  lighting  is  to  be  ensured  for  the  movement  of  people, deployment of life saving appliances and to work on essential machinery.

## 3.5.5 Steering Arrangements

Each vessel should be provided with effective means of steering. Emergency steering  arrangements  are  recommended  where  there  are  safety  risks  of passengers due to main steering failure. This  may  be in the form  of a tiller which can be attached to the rudder stock or steering oars depending on the area of operation.

## 3.5.6 Bilge Pumping/ Drainage Arrangements

All the vessels plying in the waterways should have means of bilge pumping either by a power driven pump or a hand pump so that all compartments can be  drained  during  emergency.  In  machinery  spaces,  a  holding  tank  is recommended for oily bilges to prevent water pollution. In case of small open boats operating in areas with small wave height of less than 0.6 m, drainage with the help of bailers or buckets may be sufficient.

## 3.5.7 Life Saving Equipment

Each  boat  should  have  approved  lifesavingequipment  sufficient  for the number  of  persons  that  can  be  carried  on  board.  IRS/MMD  approved lifesaving  appliances  such  as  life  jackets,  life  buoy  etc.  confirming  to  latest SOLAS/LSA Code requirement along with identification/marking details on the product  (Also  Refer  Annexure-I  to  Chapter  3  for  details).  It  should  be mandatory to keep the following life savingequipment on every  mechanized boats/vessels.

##  3.5.7.1 Life Buoys

A minimum of 4 Life Buoys for vessels up to 25 meter length, 6 Life  Buoys  for  vessels  of  25  to  45  meters  length  and  8  Life Buoys  for  more  than  45  meters  length  should  be  carried  in vessels.

-  3.5.7.2 Life Jackets

Though  Life  Jackets  are  not  required  for  vessels  operating  in areas  of  less  than  0.6  meters  wave  height,  however  in  other areas, life jackets are to be carried for all passengers and crews.

##  3.5.7.3 Life Rafts

In  case  of  vessels  operating  in  areas  of  more  than  1.2  meter wave  height,  sufficient  number  of  life  rafts  for  accommodating people on board is Boat Safety recommended. While keeping all lifesavingequipment, it is essential to ensure periodic maintenance and servicing following manufacturer's recommendations. In a similar manner, 'First Aid' box should be kept on board for passengers and crew members like mechanized boats.

## 3.5.8 Fire Safety Measures

Since  mechanized  boats  are  largely  operated  by  means  of  electrical  and mechanical  devices,  there  are  more  chances  of  catching  fire,  thus  wellstructuredfirefighting  system  must  be  essentially  maintained  in  mechanized boats. The following equipmentis required to be kept in vessels.

## 3.5.8.1. Fire pump

A  vessel  of  6  meter  and  above  in  length  should  carry  hand pumps or power driven pumps with hose connections capable of delivering a jet of water to any part of the vessel through hose and nozzles.

## 3.5.8.2. Fire Extinguishers

At least one multipurpose portable fire extinguisher to a recognized standard is to be carried in all vessels, which is to be kept outside the engine space. In addition, one multipurpose fire extinguisher should be placed at each exit from accommodation spaces to open decks. In  addition, Fire  Buckets  and  Lanyards are also to be provided in the boats. It is recommended that all firefightingequipment  are  to  be  maintained  in  good  conditions. Like  non  mechanized  boats,  the  following  items  should  not  be carried on board in all the mechanized boats -

- a) Lamps powered by liquefied gas or liquid oil
- b) Vaporizing oil burner stoves
- c) Solid fuel heaters
- d) Devices fitted with wick burners
- e)  Liquefied  gas  devices Smoking shall be strictly  prohibited in the boats.

## 3.5.9 Navigation and Communication Aids

The  provisions  of  navigation  and  communication  arrangements  should  be managed  in  the  same  manner  like  non  mechanized  boats.  Anchoring  and Mooring arrangements for mechanized boats should also follow the pattern of non-mechanized boats.

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