The Guyana Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has embarked on an aggressive safety campaign on river transportation following two deadly boat collisions in the past two months. These collisions claimed 17 lives.The accidents, which occurred one month apart, have put maritime safety under severe scrutiny and MARAD has responded to the challenge, moving swiftly to ensure complete enforcement of regulations, a government statement said Thursday evening.The campaign is targeting Bartica, Region Seven; Supenaam and Charity, Region Two; Georgetown, and Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika stellings in Region Three.Officials moved to enforce licensing of boats,Authentic NBA Store, boat captains,NFL Jerseys China, emergency and fire equipment and the proper use of life jackets. MARAD officials,Cheap Jerseys, with maritime cadets in tow,Jerseys NFL Cheap, coordinated with boat operators and passengers on the safety promotion campaign at Parika, a very busy stelling. By the end of the exercise close to 20 defaulters were identified. Some were granted time to correct their faults, government said.“The boat owners and operators acknowledged the wisdom and need for the campaign and complied with regulations. Many were quick to move towards installing the required items into their boats. A river patrol has been implemented and will see a roaming presence on the Essequibo River where routine checks will be carried out.”MARAD official, Michael Tennant,Cheap NFL Jerseys, said that the campaign is being carried out to promote safety on the waterways while simultaneously enforcing the laws governing the operation of passenger and other vessels.He noted that the response has been commendable and the administration hopes to continue the campaign for an extended period.Passengers and boat operators, in responding to the campaign,Wholesale Jerseys China, said that effective monitoring which includes the use of trained personnel is definitely needed to execute such functions. They also noted that proper identification must be made by officials conducting the awareness campaign and members of the patrols must always be clearly identified.It was also suggested that defaulting parties must be made an example to the public so a stern message is left as an example to others who may want to do the same.The first of the accidents which prompted the campaign occurred on December 18 on the Pomeroon River where six persons lost their lives. It was found that navigational lights were not used and rain had decreased visibility.The January 22 accident on the Mazaruni River which left 11 dead was caused by speeding and lack of life jackets.