Gandhinagar: The state govt on Friday approved the final guidelines of the Gujarat Inland Vessels (Category ‘C' Inland Vessels Registration, Survey and Management) Regulations 2024. The regulations governing boating and water sports activities have been made more stringent by the state govt following the Harni boat capsize tragedy in which 12 students and two teachers were killed.
The newly issued regulations apply to pleasure craft, boats and vessels that are less than 10 metres in length. People wishing to register these boats or vessels must submit an application to the respective district magistrates.
The rules mandate that each district or city's Waterside Safety Committee (WSC) will conduct regular inspection of water sports activities and boating operations, with penalties imposed for safety violations. Besides specifying detailed roles and responsibilities for officials in both urban and rural areas, they outline the operator's duties, requirements for life jackets, lifeboats, emergency response boats, safety equipment, monthly maintenance protocols, qualifications of crew members, public awareness initiatives and environmental safety standards.
Under the final guidelines, the Gujarat Maritime Board's nautical officer is appointed as the chief surveyor, the district magistrate will be registrar for water sports and boating registration, and marine officers and engineers will be in charge of surveys.