The district administration has issued safety guidelines for tourist boat operators who run boats from Malpe beach and Malpe tourist jetty to St. Mary’s Island. These guidelines also apply to tourists going on these boats from Malpe to St. Mary’s Island.
According to a release issued here on Friday, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, who is also president of the Malpe Development Committee, said operators ferrying passengers from the Malpe tourist jetty and Malpe beach to St. Mary’s Island should ensure that all passengers wear life jackets. Passengers who do not wear life jackets should not be allowed to travel in the boats, the guideline states.
The operators should not take tourists more than the capacity of their boats. If the tourists find this guideline was being violated, they could give a written complaint to the committee.
Carrying of plastic items by tourists to St. Mary’s Island is banned. Tourists should also not carry any utensils to the island. They can, however, carry drinking water in PET bottles.
On holidays, the boat service will begin at 6.30 a.m. Tourists may contact the operators of the boats from Malpe beach on the following numbers: 9886415479, 9986448575, 9972994968, or 9742506873. The tourists may contact operators of the boats from Malpe tourist jetty on 8951081207, 9845354325 or 9880593676. If tourists faced any problems in the boats or on St. Mary’s Island, they can lodge their complaints by calling 9964024177.
