Between January and September 2011, 53 people have been reported dead in marina beach in Calabar, Cross River State. The victims were said to have died when they were ?drown as the boats that conveyed them to various parts of the country capsized in the river.
?
?Disclosing this to our correspondent in Calabar, yesterday the Commanding Officer, Flight Marine Safety Academy, Obubra, Captain Charles Origha lamented the incidents noting that the operators of the vessels and small boasts in various coastal areas in calabar are unprofessionals who exposed passengers to danger.?
?
?Besides driving the vessels and boats by unprofessional persons, the boat drivers and passengers, Origha regretted,were not wearing life jackets coupled with overloading of the boat with passengers and unserviceable engine boats, “If you look at the marina beach, we have lost 53 people in the river this year, the boats carry overloaded goods and passengers and the drivers are not professionals” he said
?
?At Marina resort, he noted, that some casualties were recorded adding that, with the coming to operation of the flight safety marine academy, “which primary function is to train our youths to become professional vessel and boat drivers and operators”, the number of boat mishaps would be reduced if not stopped totally. He said the academy which started last year had already graduated 54 merchant navy and over 50 are undergoing industrial training on board vessels across the country.?
?