'Safety at sea' campaign hindered

'Safety at sea' campaign hindered

JAKARTA: Sea Transportation Director General Tjuk Sukardiman acknowledged on Thursday that the publicizing of national safety guidelines covering marine transportation had been hindered due to the shortage of funds.

"Due to the limited availability of funds, the campaign on national marine transportation safety has not run as well as expected," he said in a talk show on state radio station RRI.

The show specifically focused on marine transportation safety, which has been under the spotlight since the economic crisis hit the country in 1997.

"However, despite the funding problem, public safety, especially that of customers of marine transportation services, should not be put in jeopardy," he said.

He added that safety regulations, which were mandatory, in line with the International Maritime Organization's rules, had to be strictly applied.

Data at the sea transportation directorate general showed that 657 passengers lost their lives in 64 marine accidents in 2000, while in the first seven months of this year 29 accidents occurred, causing the death of at least 49 passengers. -- Antara