DIY Provincial Government Will Require Life Jacket For Tourists Who Swim On The Beach

YOGYAKARTA - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) plans to apply the rules for the obligation to use a life jacket or life jacket for tourists who want to swim on the South Coast.

Head of the DIY Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Noviar Rahmad explained that the new policy plan follows the high risk of marine accidents due to current flow or broken flow areas on the South Coast.

"We plan to require using life jackets, so they use life jackets so that even though they swim in dangerous places, they will be safe," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 3.

According to Noviar, the new policy will still be discussed further with cross-sectoral agencies, including the Yogyakarta Tourism and Basarnas Office.

Not only temporary during extreme weather conditions, according to him, this rule is planned to be applied permanently.

"If there has been approval from all parties, (implemented) as long as possible. Because the sea accident is not temporary, it is almost every time there is," he said.

Despite being in the current area, Noviar assessed that safety is more secure when tourists who swim have equipped themselves with buoys.

If the regulation is officially implemented, he said supervision would involve various parties, including the Special Rescue Satlinmas, tourism awareness groups (pokdarwis), fishermen, and communities in coastal areas.

Meanwhile, regarding the provision of a life jacket, said Noviar, the government will leave it entirely to the people around the beach as a new business opportunity.

According to him, tourists will be able to rent a life jacket from the local community, similar to renting a swimming tire in the swimming pool.

"Later it can be a new livelihood. People can rent out, like in a swimming pool. In the pool, people are safe to be punished, now this is renting a life jacket," said Noviar.

Previously, a group of tourists consisting of SMPN 7 Mojokerto students reportedly drowned after being swept away by the current on Drini Beach, Gunungkidul, DIY, on Tuesday (28/1).

A total of 13 students were reported to have been swept away by the ocean currents in this incident, with four of them losing their lives due to being trapped in a burst current area (rip current).