Port Blair, Feb 11: The Directorate of Fisheries has informed that under the jurisdiction of South Andaman District 18 sport fishing/combination vessels (sport fishing+diving) are found to be fit through safety audit recently conducted by the department.
Out of 18 such boats, 5 sport fishing vessels are operational in Port Blair; 5 sport fishing and 8 combination vessels are operational at Havelock and Neil Island. Another 10 combination vessels are in the process of rectifying the short comings pointed out during the safety audit which would be cleared as and when found fit.
Tourism department is in the process of framing guidelines for safe operation of Water sport Activities including small tourist boats, OBM—driven vessels Jet Skis in these islands. The department is also coordinating with Yachting Association of India for imparting basic training on Power Boat Handling and Life Saving Techniques which are mandatory qualifications for operating mechanized watercraft related to water sports.
