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| Indonesia ferry services inferior to Labuan ferry service, says operator |
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08-FEB-2010 Intellasia | Bernama |
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8 Feb, 2010 - 7:00:00 AM |
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Labuan Ferry Corporation Sdn Bhd on Saturday denied a report that Indonesia's ferry services are superior to the Labuan-Menumbok ferry service.
Its operation director Shamsul Sahari said the Labuan ferry service adhered at all times to strict safety standards enforced by the Marine Department and the Sabah Ports and Harbour Department.
According to Shamsul, there have been numerous ferry disasters in recent years in Indonesia and in the last three years, more than 800 people had been reported to have been killed in ferry accidents in the neighbouring country.
“If there is any concern with safety at any time, Labuan Ferry Corporation will be prevented by the regulating authorities from using its vessels,” he told Bernama here.
He was was responding to a recent report by a local newspaper which claimed that the Kalimantan ferry service put Labuan's ferry service to shame, particularly in terms of safety standards.
Shamsul said there has been a lot of misinformation being spread about the Labuan-Menumbok ferry service recently.
He said the company's largest vessel, Wawasan Perdana, is a SCM class vessel.
SCM refers to Ships Classification (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the national premier classification body providing vessel classifications for maritime industry, and SCM is made of 70 per cent technical personnel and professionals, consisting of naval architects, marine engineers and electrical engineers.
Shamsul said that in order to obtain such classification. the vessel has to be inspected by a surveyor approved by the Transport Ministry.
The vessel also needed to be maintained and serviced in accordance with established standards, which include dry docking once a year, he said.
Wawasan Perdana is capable of transporting 80 vehicles and 550 passengers, and it also has a VIP room for passengers' comfort, he added.
Shamsul clarified that Wawasan Perdana recently experienced a problem with one of its propellers when it hit a floating log and the propeller fell into the sea.
“This mishap has nothing to do with lack of maintenance and servicing,” he said.
Shamsul said the company took immediate step to obtain another propeller which has to be made in Germany.
“It took about five months for the propeller to be custom-made and the new propeller has already been installed. During the period when the propeller was being manufactured, there was no compromise on safety standards. At no time was the public's safety affected in any way,” he said.
On the delays at the ferry terminals in Labuan and Menumbok, Shamsul said this was due to inadequate space and facilities at the terminals, which caused delays to the loading and unloading of vehichles.
He said Labuan Ferry Corporation was not responsible for management of the ferry terminals “but does its best to ensure that there are minimal delays caused”.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=473861
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