Ships resume operations to Saint Martin’s Island after long wait, 837 tourists travel on first day
Photo: Agamir Somoy
After overcoming various uncertainties and administrative complications, tourist ships have finally resumed operations on the Cox’s Bazar to Saint Martin’s Island route. On Thursday morning, the MV Bar Auliya departed from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara in Cox’s Bazar with 837 tourists on board, heading for the coral island of Saint Martin’s. Tourists were delighted to finally get the opportunity to visit the island by sea after a long wait. The resumption of ship services has also brought relief to businesses associated with the tourism sector.
Tourists began gathering at Nuniachhara as early as 6:00 am, ahead of the ship’s departure at 7:30 am. As the ship’s whistle sounded after a long wait, the jetty area turned festive. However, on the first day of the much-anticipated journey, several tourists complained about higher ticket prices and difficulties at the jetty.
Hridoy, a tourist from Dhaka, said, “I have never faced this much harassment before. If we have to face difficulties even after purchasing tickets online, what will the situation be like for ordinary tourists? This time, the lowest ticket price is Tk 4,200. Previously, it was Tk 3,500. That means the price has increased by Tk 700 per ticket. The prices of everything are only going up and nothing is coming down. We are disappointed by this.”
However, tourist Popy Sabrin Jesy was delighted to get the opportunity to visit Saint Martin’s Island for the first time. She said, “I have never been to Saint Martin’s before. This time, I am visiting the island for the first time. Since it is the first day of the season, the joy and excitement are even greater.” She also said she was traveling to the island as a guide as part of a training program for a group of officers.
Alongside the resumption of ship services, the administration has imposed strict measures from the first day to protect the environment and biodiversity of Saint Martin’s Island. Members of the district administration, the Department of Environment, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Coast Guard were on duty at the jetty. Tourists were not allowed to take single use plastic bottles, polythene or sound systems on board. Arrangements were made for them to leave these items at designated locations. The Coast Guard also raised awareness among tourists through public announcements to encourage environmental protection.
Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, deputy director of the Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar, said tourists must follow the prescribed guidelines to protect the environment and biodiversity of Saint Martin’s Island. Entering the island’s Kea forest, visiting Chera Dwip, organizing parties and creating loud noise are prohibited. Activities harmful to marine biodiversity are also prohibited.
He said, “Arrangements have been made for tourists to leave single use plastic bottles and other items at designated places at the jetty. Several sound systems have also been collected from tourists and kept with the ship owners.” He urged everyone to follow the directives of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Mahmudur Rahman Sayem, executive magistrate of the Tourism Cell, said around 837 tickets had been sold on the first day, representing approximately one fourth of the ship’s total passenger capacity. Tourists were made aware of the government’s environmental protection directives and the restrictions on carrying plastic items and sound systems.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), an organization of ship owners operating on the Saint Martin’s route, said, “The first ship of the season began its journey today with 837 passengers. This marks the end of the decisions imposed by the interim government.”
He said three companies had been granted permission to operate ships on the Saint Martin’s route this season. However, only the MV Bar Auliya carried passengers on the first day. The MV Karnaphuli and MV Teknaf will begin carrying passengers from Friday.
According to SCOAB, the three ships have a combined passenger capacity of 2,298. The MV Bar Auliya can accommodate 850 passengers, the MV Karnaphuli 732 and the MV Teknaf 716.
According to the scheduled timetable, the MV Bar Auliya is set to depart from the Nuniachhara jetty at 7:00 am, the MV Karnaphuli at 7:15 am and the MV Teknaf at 8:15 am. On return trips, the ships will leave Saint Martin’s jetty at 2:30 pm, 2:15 pm and 3:30 pm, respectively.
Hossain Islam Bahadur said that although the ministry’s decision was to begin carrying tourists from November 1, ship operations started five days later, on November 5, due to administrative and other related complications. Before departure, the administration also inspected the ships’ overall safety arrangements, including fire safety measures.
On Wednesday evening, the three tourist ships were anchored in the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar. Repairs, decorations and preparations of necessary equipment were completed to make them suitable for carrying passengers. The MV Bar Auliya then became the first ship to begin its journey on Thursday morning.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan said permission had been granted for one ship to operate on Thursday, taking into consideration tourists who had purchased tickets in advance. The ship departed for Saint Martin’s Island from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara at 7:00 am.
According to the government’s decision, Saint Martin’s Island will remain open to tourists from November 1 to March 15. A maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island each day. During this period, overnight accommodation will also be available for 3,500 tourists. Each visitor must pay an environmental conservation fee of Tk 100 to enter the island. A travel pass and tickets containing QR codes have also been made mandatory.
Several other restrictions have been imposed to protect the island’s environment and biodiversity. Lighting fires or using lights on the beach and in surrounding areas at night, creating loud noise and organizing barbecue parties are prohibited.
Entering the Kea forest, collecting or buying and selling Kea fruits are also prohibited. Activities that could harm the island’s biodiversity are banned as well. These include harming marine turtles, birds, corals, snails, shells, starfish, horseshoe crabs, seagrass and algae.
