The Maritime Safety Authority is closely monitoring vessel operators this festive season to ensure they are complying with the law.

MSAF Chief Executive Captain Philip Hill says this is an exercise that runs all year round.

Hill says they have a survey certificate that states the number of passengers they can carry and the amount of cargo they can carry based on size and engine capacity.

”Most of the master on the bigger vessels they are aware of that and they are also mindful they carry the number of passengers that is according to the certificate that is been issued.”

In previous years problems such as overloading and non-compliance usually peak during the busy festive season.