Port Authority Heightens Boat Safety Oversight

(Acapulco, NA 23 December) The captain of the Port of Acapulco, Antonio Pizá Vela, announced that as part of Operation Winter 2010, safety officials would be intensifying their supervision of boat activities in the ports of Acapulco. Operation Winter 2010 is a cooperative security initiative of city, state and federal authorities. Port Authority officials will patrol the docks and piers of Puerto Marqués, Caleta/Caletilla, Roqueta and Pie de la Cuesta. Fourteen security officials in three vessels will be added to the beat. Tasks will include checking for all required safety equipment on all vessels, life vests, fire extinguishers, first aid, and respect for capacity limitations. Additionally, any vessel that invades a designated swimming area will be fined. “We are aiming for an accident-free vacation season,” he said. “We lost no fishermen or vessels during the hurricane season in spite of the strong storms and rains, and we will continue working with the same enthusiasm, in collaboration with the Navy, to have another perfect record in 2011.”