Risky ride in Kuakata

Illegal plying of speedboats on the Bay at Kuakata point puts the tourists at risk when they swim in the Bay or go for a ride on the speedboats.

A fishing trawler rescued 10 tourists, including five children, when a speedboat carrying them capsized in the Bay on Saturday.

This correspondent tried to contact the driver of the boat but he fled after the incident and his cellphone was switched off.

Five speed boats have been plying illegally at Kuakata for long. Tourists can enjoy a ride on the sea by paying Tk 100 to Tk 200 each, but all the boats are driven by unskilled drivers, as a result, accidents often take place.

Afzalul Haq Khan, a tourist from Dhaka, said, "I and my family boarded a speedboat to take a ride, but it stopped after six to seven minutes as its engine got caught in a fishing net, and water started entering the boat. Fortunately, a fishing trawler rescued us."

Md Saidul Majhee, driver of the trawler, said, "I was returning to Mohipur fish landing station from the Bay and saw that some people were shouting for help. I rushed to the boat and rescued them."

Md Khokon from Khulna said, "I took a swim in the Bay, but I was afraid all the time because the speedboats were running here and there. The swimming places should be kept free from all hazards as most tourists from home and abroad want to swim here."

Abul Hossain Joni, a resident of Kuakata, said separate places should be designated for swimming and for taking rides on speedboats.

President of Kuakata Speedboat Owners' Association Md Billal Khalifa said they have registered with the department concerned to provide the service. But he did not give the registration number when this correspondent called him on cellphone yesterday.

"We have life jacket for all the passengers to ensure their safety, and we have stopped the boat that capsized on Saturday from plying," he added.

Mayor of Kuakata Municipality Abdul Bareq Mollah said some local people provide speedboat service without permission from the municipality. "We will take steps to provide speedboat service at Kuakata point, he added."

Additional Superintendent of Tourist Police in Kuakata Mir Fosiur Rahman said, "We asked the speedboat owners not to ply their boats at Kuakata point from Saturday, but they ignored it and are continuing the service."

"I will take steps over the matter soon," he added.