The Kenya Maritime Authority has launched a Search and Rescue boat at the Kisumu port to boost maritime safety in the Lake region.
The chairman Digore Kitambi said the move aims at enhancing its surveillance role of the Kenyan waters and boost maritime security challenges in lake Victoria region.
He said the KMA boat will enhance response time to distress calls on the lake.
“The acquisition of this boat for the Lake region is timely for the Authority considering its crucial role as a regulator and pacesetter in the maritime industry and the need to set practical examples on water safety concerns," he said.
Mr Kitambi said with the launch of the KMA Search and Rescue boat, the Authority will boost its experience and strategies in search and rescue as well as reinforce its maritime safety and security role while at the same time improving the quality of service delivery.
He said KMA is cognizant of the challenges faced by the users of water transport on Lake Victoria and will continue to reinforce its sensitization efforts to the public with the aim of empowering and instilling in them a water safety culture.