Sri Vijaya Puram, November 13: Strong winds and adverse weather conditions could disrupt ferry connectivity across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) warning that harbour, foreshore and inter-island sailings may face delays, temporary suspensions or cancellations at short notice.
The warning covers harbour ferry and vehicle ferry services connecting Chatham, Bambooflat, Phoenix Bay, Dundas Point and Panighat (Hopetown), where prevailing weather conditions have made vessel operations difficult and could pose safety risks.
DSS said sailing schedules in the Harbour Sector may change depending on weather conditions, with vessels potentially delayed, temporarily withdrawn from service or cancelled without advance notice.
Services in the Foreshore and Inter-Island sectors may also face similar disruptions, potentially affecting passengers travelling between different parts of the islands.
The uncertainty in sailing schedules could require residents and tourists to reconsider their travel plans, particularly those relying on ferry services for movement between harbour points and other islands. The possibility of short-notice cancellations also means passengers may need to account for changes when planning their journeys.
The Directorate has advised the public and tourists to make travel arrangements in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions to minimise inconvenience.
DSS said operational decisions would depend on the weather situation and reiterated that passenger safety would remain the primary consideration while determining whether vessels could sail.
The advisory comes amid unfavourable weather conditions affecting maritime operations, with the department cautioning passengers against relying on regular sailing schedules during the period of disruption.
The Directorate has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by possible service interruptions and sought public cooperation as it monitors conditions affecting ferry operations.
