Mombasa county deploys 7 patrol boats after 2 people drown in Indian Ocean

The county government of Mombasa has deployed seven patrol boats and security for visitors and residents across the county Indian Ocean beaches.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the speed boats will be used in case of a distress call to save lives of those frequenting the Indian Ocean.

The move comes a day after two people lost their lives after a boat they were in capsized at the Jomo Kenyatta Pirates Beach.

The two were among 12 family members who had traveled from Nairobi and had hired a boat for a short trip into the deep seas before their boat capsized.

Boats stationed in different places

Nassir revealed that a total of seven boats will patrol all public beaches within Mombasa with four at the pirate’s beach due to the high number of people.

“Four of the boats will be here at the pirates due to the high number of visitors witnessed here, another one will be situated at the island and two more will be used across Likoni,” he said.

Nassir was speaking at the Pirates’ Beach where he interacted with merrymakers at the public beach and later visited the Kenya Red Cross emergency stand stationed at the beach.

He added that each boat will have a Kenya Coast Guard officer, a lifeguard officer as well as youth with diving skills recruited by the county during this festive season.

“Accidents do occur. However, we have everything under control now. I want to assure Mombasa residents and all visitors of their safety and security,” he said.