Passengers ordered off

TWENTY-FIVE passengers who paid to travel to Wewak, East Sepik, on a ferry were ordered off the vessel by police because it was overloaded.
Madang police commander Supt Mazuc Rubiang confirmed that police officers were at the scene after being alerted by National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) officers.
He said the vessel was supposed to carry only 275 passengers but had gone over the limit, taking 300.
Supt Rubiang said police officers went to the Lutheran Shipping wharf and told 25 passengers to disembark before the ferry was allowed to leave for Wewak.
He warned the ferry operators and the boats travelling not to compromise safety or disregard laws.
He said the vessel owners needed to consider the risks involved in carrying more than the sanctioned number of passengers instead of trying to maximise their earnings.
He commended his officers and NMSA officials who worked together to ensure the ferry adhered to the law and left port with the correct number of passengers.