The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has threatened to sanction any boat operator who plies at odd hours in the state.
The union described night travels by boats as risky, saying the BMTA will impound and dismiss any boat driver who indulges in the act.
Marine Safety Officer, Bonny Maritime Transport Association, Comrade Kins Dimkpa, made the threat during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Dimkpa said the association had placed restrictions on night travels by boats from 5pm to dawn, saying any violator of the restriction order risks sanction by the union.
According to him, the ban was placed to save lives of passengers and drivers from pirates.
He noted that most of the boat mishaps take place at night as most speed boats do not have headlamp.
“As a union serving the public, we are here to save lives and do our business without loosing our passengers and our drivers to accident or sea robbers”, he said. 
Dimkpa also advised passengers not to board any boat to and from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt after 5pm.
He insisted that defaulters would be arrested by the marine police and prosecuted accordingly.
The safety officer urged the security agents to assist in ensuring the safety of lives in the waterways by patrolling the creeks and channels, especially in the riverine communities.
He also advised passengers to always wear their lifejackets before boarding boats, just as he cautioned drivers against ferry passengers without life vest.

By: Chinedu Wosu