by Venus H. Sarmiento
ALAMINOS CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) — Changing weather patterns prompted the Coast Guard and the city tourism office here to strengthen measures that would ensure safe boat travel of tourists to the famous Hundred Islands.
Lt. Dennis Rapal of the Sual Coast Guard said they are strictly monitoring motorized boats at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) to prevent accidents due to strong current.
But apart from strong current, motor vessels also need to consider high and low tides, Rapal said.
“Minsan, hindi natin nakikita sa surface pero sa ilalim may current (Sometimes, we don’t see it on surface even when there’s a strong current),” he said.
City Tourism Officer Miguel Sison said wearing life vest or life jacket before boarding the boat is a strict policy in the island.
A capability training for the island crew is also being conducted regularly to enhance their capabilities and knowledge in boating and ferrying passengers.
“We have to enrich and refresh their knowledge basically, so that they know what’s expected of them,” Sison said.
Strong winds may also affect boat travel but passengers can seek shelter in the small islands when faced with really strong wind, he added.
The HINP has at least 350 boats ferrying passengers daily from the Lucap wharf to the main islands. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)
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