The Tribune

By ABIGAIL NARANDJA

IN LIGHT of Monday's disaster at sea, the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association's operations manager Chris Lloyd urged the public never to overload boats or other vessels.

According to Mr Lloyd, overloading was the main cause of the sinking that led to at least 11 Haitians drowning off the coast of Abaco.

He said the 25-foot boat also lacked vital safety equipment and set out at night, which is always dangerous.

Mr Lloyd pointed out that every registered sea vessel in the Bahamas carries a safety plate with important information, including how many passengers are allowed on the vessel.

He said there should be a life jacket for each person on the boat, the driver should have experience before setting out to sea unsupervised, and the engine should be checked carefully before each voyage.

In 2009, 3,358 people were injured and 798 died in boating incidents around the world.

Of those who drowned, nine out of 10 were not wearing life jackets.

In 2011, only 1.5 per cent of those who drowned were wearing life jackets.