India: Tourist boats detained for safety violations

Thehindu.com reports that a team of officials from the Department of Ports intercepted six tourist boats operating in the backwaters off Marine Drive on Saturday and detained them for violating safety norms. The boats were carrying passengers on the upper deck without the mandatory stability certificate and the license, said port officials. “Almost all the passengers were seated or precariously standing on the upper deck, despite norms insisting that two-third of the number of passengers be seated on the lower deck.” Read article