There is one simple strategy that saves lives during recreational boating and that is wearing a life jacket. Yet, most of the drowning victims in recreational boating accidents are found without them.
Even in Sunday’s boat tragedy, none of the victims had their life jackets on. Sources said the tourists asked for them but the operators said there was no need for them.
Reconstruction of the scene and the circumstances at the place show that an accident was waiting to happen here. The operator of the boat belonging to a firm called River Boating Adventure had been running the boat in brazen violation of stipulated norms.
Sources associated with the Tourism wing said there were no proper trial runs done and people operating the boat did not have proper understanding of the route.
Without any recce, the operator unanchored the boat on Sunday and directly started taking in people. Faults are also being found with the design of the boat. “The boat is said to have hit a sand dune before tilting and capsizing. A boat has a knife shaped edge which helps cut through at times like this. But this hull was flat which could not cut through the dune,” said the operator of a private boat.
The operator Kondal Rao did not have any permission. Without securing the route clearance from the Irrigation department, he tried to operate from the Durga ghat.
On Sunday also, he first came to the Durga ghat asking people to board his boat but after being warned by the boating manager of the AP Tourism Development Corporation, he shifted to the Punnami ghat where the crowd was heavy and the people were eager to embark on whatever boat that was going to Pavithra Sangamam.
Sources also indicate that Mr. Kondal Rao is only the face of the River Boating Adventure and a few lower-level tourism staff and workers have invested in the company and extend their tacit support for its unauthorised operation.
When the matter was reported to the Tourism officials, the Bhavani Island manager and a driver were transferred a couple of months ago.
The Tourism wing has come under the scanner in the aftermath of the accident for allowing unauthorised operators who seldom take safety measures.
