The inadequate number of personnel in the Department of Ports has affected the registration of new houseboats, and also the enforcement of safety regulations in the approximately 1,000 such vessels that operate mainly in Alappuzha, Kumarakom and Kollam, at a time when tourism stakeholders are readying to bounce back after a two-year-long pandemic-induced lull.
This has also resulted in many vessels, which have not procured the mandatory licence, operating in these waterbodies, and in much lesser number in other districts. Subsequently, tourists, crew members and boat operators stand the risk of being denied insurance coverage in the wake of sinking, drowning, fire or any other mishap that could occur while on board such vessels, said sources in the department and players in the sector.
