Boat owners have been directed to strictly follow safety guidelines to ensure safe boat services during Onam holidays.

In a press release issued here on Wednesday, the port officer and senior port conservator of the Beypore Port of Registry warned that strict action would be taken against boats operating in violation of regulations.

Boat services must be operated only with valid registration, survey, and insurance certificates, alongside other mandatory documentation. Boat owners and crew must ensure that all passengers wear high-quality lifejackets. Only appropriately qualified personnel may operate the vessels.

The instructions also stated that the number of passengers must not exceed the permitted capacity, which must be clearly displayed in both Malayalam and English. The vessel’s safety and operational fitness must be checked before every trip, and adequate safety equipment must be kept on board.

Services must operate only within permitted zones, and passengers and operators have also been instructed not to dispose of waste in water bodies.

Published - August 19, 2026 09:19 pm IST