3 launches fined

The Department of Shipping fined three launches Thursday for failing to have the required safety equipment in the engine rooms and not doing everything necessary to ensure a safe journey for the passengers.

Also, seven launches were cautioned during the drive-in of all the Dhaka-bound launches at Barisal river port to avoid recurring nightmares of fatal accidents on the waterways.

Syed Morad Ali, the executive magistrate at the Department of Shipping, conducted the drive on Thursday evening.

“With the help of Barisal district administration, we conducted a drive in all Dhaka-bound launches,” said Morad.

“MV Sundarban-11 launch was fined Tk 40,000, Parabat-7 Tk15,000, and Kuakata-2 Tk 30,000 for having expired fire extinguishers, not placing life-saving buoys in the right way, and failing to ensure proper safety in the engine room. And the drive will continue.”

Several luxury launches are carrying hundreds of passengers every day without ensuring adequate fire safety measures. However, some of them are equipped with elevators, well-furnished rooms, radars, wifi, radio communication and modern gadgets.