The West Manggarai Resort Police, the Labuan Bajo Naval Base (Lanal), and the Labuan Bajo Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP) inspect the seaworthiness of tourism vessels ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

"We conduct a seaworthiness inspection to ensure the safety and comfort of state guests," Chief of West Manggarai Resort Police Adjunct Commissioner I Wayan Merta stated here on Tuesday.

The summit is scheduled to take place in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, on May 9-11, 2023.

The review aimed to provide security to delegations keen on visiting various local tourism destinations, such as Komodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island, during the ASEAN Summit.

During the inspection, the authorities assured that the ships were in good condition, equipped with adequate safety tools and navigation systems that were functioning properly.

The focus of the review was the availability of life jackets, communication devices, and global positioning system (GPS) devices.

"Ship owners are required to provide life jackets for all passengers as well as additional life jackets for as many as 10 percent of the total number of passengers,” the chief of West Manggarai Resort Police remarked.

In addition to the inspections, the officers appealed to all ship owners to harbor their ships at the determined areas that had been prepared: Monyet Island, Waecicu waters, and Pede Beach.

The appeal is applicable throughout the implementation of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, so as to prevent disruption to the shipping routes, traffic, procedures, and berthing.

"We ask that the ships be moved to the (determined) berthing areas starting from April 28, 2023, until May 13, 2023," Merta stated.

Earlier, the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) stated that tourism activities will continue to run normally during the implementation of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

President Director of BPOLBF Shana Fatina has made an assurance that tourists will be able to continue to visit tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo when the summit takes place.

Special arrangements will only be carried out around the venues of the international event, such as the Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel, Ayana Labuan Bajo Hotel, and Puncak Waringin, she noted.