When you hop on a ferry in Sydney harbour you have every expectation that you will arrive safely at your destination. The chance that the ferry will sink halfway to Manly is certainly remote.
You are assured that the vessel will be in prime condition - and that it has been subjected to regular inspections and holds all the necessary certificates.Unfortunately that is not guaranteed in other parts of the world.
In nearby Tonga seventy two unfortunate passengers met an untimely death when the ferry they were travelling on - the Princess Ashika - suddenly sank. An investigation has revealed that this vessel was literally " a floating death trap ". It was riddled with rust - had gaping holes - and would not have passed even the most rudimentary sea worthiness inspection.
Unfortunately this is not an isolated instance. Unsafe - and often over crowded - ferries and ferry disasters are common in countries that Australians visit on holiday. Such sudden sinking's and consequent loss of life occur regularly in the Philipine's, Indonesia - and other Pacific island countries.
It is a warning to approach any foreign ferry travel with extreme caution. It would be a good idea not to assume that safety regulations are in place and to carry out a personal inspection of the vessel before boarding. Even if it appears sound, the number of people being carried should be of concern.
The best advice is probably - " When in doubt - don't ! "
Unfortunately, in countries where ferry safety is lax, air safety usually has a similar record.
That seems to be a big plus for having a holiday within Australia - or if you must go overseas - choosing a country with a similar safety regime to that which applies here.
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