Two dead after leisure boat capsizes in Mombasa

By  Winnie Atieno

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

• Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir directed vessel operators to strictly observe maritime safety requirements.
• Mombasa county government said it would work with national regulatory agencies to enforce safety compliance.

Two people have died after a leisure boat capsized along Tudor Creek in Mombasa, prompting the county government to order immediate safety inspections of vessels operating along the Coast.

The bodies of the two adults, who had been reported missing after the MV Blue Pineapple overturned on Saturday evening, were recovered near Nyali Beach.

Five other occupants were rescued following the incident, which occurred about 5:30pm and triggered a multi-agency response.

Following the tragedy, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir visited Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Maritime safety requirements

The governor said the incident should serve as a warning to vessel operators and the public as the Coast experiences the El Niño phenomenon.

“The current El Niño phenomenon is more severe than those previously experienced, and the public must exercise exceptional caution when undertaking any activity at sea. I extend my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones during this painful time,” Mr Nassir said.

Mr Nassir directed vessel operators to strictly observe maritime safety requirements, routinely service and inspect their vessels, monitor weather advisories and ensure passengers wear life jackets throughout their journeys.

He said he had called on the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) to undertake immediate and rigorous inspections of the seaworthiness of all vessels ferrying members of the public along the coastline.

“I have engaged the Kenya Maritime Authority to undertake immediate and rigorous inspections of the seaworthiness of all vessels ferrying members of the public along our coastline,” he said.

The inspections will be undertaken in collaboration with relevant national agencies, with the county government promising to enforce strict compliance with maritime safety requirements.

At the same time, he commended the County Marine Rescue Unit, lifeguards recruited by the county government from local Beach Management Units (BMUs), the Kenya Coast Guard Service and other responders for their swift intervention.

Mr Dan Manyala, the Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Transport and Disaster Management, said the accident highlighted the need for greater attention to operational safety among leisure boat operators.

He said all operators were required to comply with maritime safety protocols, conduct routine servicing and inspections of their vessels and ensure all passengers wore life jackets.

“Every leisure boat operator is required to strictly adhere to maritime safety protocols, carry out routine vessel service and inspections, and mandate life-jacket compliance for all passengers,” Mr Manyala said.

Effects of heavy El Niño rains

He also commended the rescue teams involved in the operation, including the County Marine Rescue Unit, local BMUs and the Kenya Coast Guard Service.

The county government said it would work with national regulatory agencies to enforce safety compliance across coastline operations.

The Tudor Creek tragedy comes as authorities prepare for the effects of heavy El Niño rains along the Coast, with concerns that changing weather conditions could pose additional risks to maritime activities.

Meanwhile, Mr Nassir urged members of the public to exercise caution while at sea, warning that no activity should take precedence over human life.

“No commercial or recreational activity should ever take precedence over human life,” he said.

The county government said the immediate inspections are intended to identify safety gaps and prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.

watieno@ke.nationmedia.com

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