The Brazilian Navy has taken action to suspend the operations of a barge in the district of Pontalete, located in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais. This decision came after an inspection identified that the barge was operating with a crew that did not comply with the required safety training standards. On Wednesday afternoon, military personnel from the Fluvial Delegation of Furnas (DelFurnas) conducted their inspection, revealing that only two crew members were present instead of the mandatory three, and one of them lacked the necessary qualifications as stipulated by safety regulations.

According to the safety regulations, a river barge must have a qualified crew consisting of a deck river sailor, a level 3 machine river sailor, and an auxiliary river sailor to ensure navigational safety. The absence of adequately trained crew members poses significant risks not only to the operation of the barge but also to the safety of passengers utilizing the service. The authorities emphasized the importance of adhering to safety standards, which are designed to protect lives and prevent incidents on local waterways.

Sérgio Nogueira, the Secretary of Economic Development in Três Pontas, has acknowledged this issue and stated that measures need to be taken to ensure that local transport services meet all safety requirements. The impact of this restriction on the local community may affect transportation across the reservoir, which is crucial for the area’s connectivity and commerce. Addressing the issue of qualified crew members is vital for restoring public trust in these transportation services and ensuring safe travel for residents and visitors alike.