Govt. discusses making wearing life jackets mandatory

Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has stated that they are discussing making it mandatory for sea travelers to wear life jackets.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Transport Minister Aishath Nahula highlighted the numerous accidents at sea and said that the ministry wishes to make it mandatory for passengers to wear life jackets while travelling, especially for vessels carrying women and children.

Minister Nahula said that it is already mandatory for vessels to have the life jackets and that the new laws would make it mandatory for passengers to use them. She said that they are discussing whether it is practical for some people, such as fishermen, to wear life jackets.

State Minister Ahmed Adil said they are addressing public concern over the incidents at sea and will be implementing solutions within the next two weeks by discussing with the relevant authorities and making changes at the policy level.

In a recent accident, five people died after a speedboat overturned while traveling from Nolhivaranfaru to Hanimaadhoo. The defence force has confirmed that none of the passengers had been wearing life jackets.