There have been 3000 deaths in launch capsizes in the past three and a half years. This is an appalling figure that should shock and anger every conscientious citizen. We have already commented on the fact that the principle problem is the abdication of authority by the shipping ministry and that greater control needs to be exercised to ensure that unfit and overloaded boats are not permitted to ply the waterways.

A major part of the problem is the out-dated storm warning system we have in place which is unfit for safe navigation. It boggles the mind that the system, which was introduced in 1962, has been considered unsafe for over 20 years, but that no government has taken the effort to update it. The apparent indifference of our leaders to the plight of the people is appalling.

The main problem is that the current signal system is hopelessly unrealistic. Boats are permitted to sail even in conditions where they should be prohibited. For instance, signal 2 (winds between 41 and 61 kms an hour) prohibits only vessels below 65 feet from plying on the waters, even though at that wind-speed even vessels longer than 100 feet remain highly vulnerable. Similarly, signal 1 permits all vessels to sail, even though we have seen that there have been a number of accidents at this wind speed In addition, there is a different system in place for river ports and sea ports, adding to the confusion.

It seems that at long last changes are afoot. The reforms to the storm warning system should be carried out as soon as possible. It is a shame that it took so many deaths for the government to pay attention to this matter. The fact that the matter has lain neglected for so long is a disgrace, and there can now be no excuse for the reforms not being implemented on a priority basis.