Infrastructure | Ports
MPT-Panaji port clash over abandoned ship
PTI, PANAJI | 17 September 2013 20:52 IST
Two port authorities in Goa have locked horns over a grounded merchant navy vessel, which was found abandoned along with its crew members, at 12 nautical miles, off the Goa coast.
The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) which had towed the ship to its harbour after a Goa government request in May this year, dumped it in the jurisdiction of the state government run Panaji Port Trust, alleging that theGoa state government is yet to pay Rs 8.5 crore as anchorage charges, as promised earlier.
MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan told PTI that the Goa state government has not paid anything, while the Panaji Port Trust authorities are miffed due to MPT abandoning the ship in its jurisdiction on September 15, without its permission.
The 1991-built crude oil tanker, Pratibha Bheema, with 1.54 lakh dead weight was abandoned mid-sea along with its crew when it was grounded.
Meanwhile, the Panaji Port Trust has decided to write to the Goa state government claiming that the MPT had violated provisions of the National Disaster Management Act.
MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan told PTI that the Goa state government has not paid anything, while the Panaji Port Trust authorities are miffed due to MPT abandoning the ship in its jurisdiction on September 15, without its permission.
The 1991-built crude oil tanker, Pratibha Bheema, with 1.54 lakh dead weight was abandoned mid-sea along with its crew when it was grounded.
Meanwhile, the Panaji Port Trust has decided to write to the Goa state government claiming that the MPT had violated provisions of the National Disaster Management Act.
"We will write to the Goa state government requesting action against the MPT and all authorities responsible for dumping the vessel in our jurisdiction without informing us and any necessary approval," James Braganza, Captain of Ports, told PTI.
He said that the vessel would be monitored by the port but the request would be to take action against the "irresponsible behaviour" violating the National Disaster Management Act.
The Captain of Port said that the abandoned vessel is presently unmanned and unlit.
He has instructed all masters of barges (ships), passenger launches, ferry boats and fishing trawlers to keep a sharp lookout and keep clear from the abandoned vessel, while navigating in that area.
Total Comments :1
Leaving an abandoned ship in such a place is a 'disaster in waiting'. Before anything untoward happens, this ship needs to be taken away from it's present place.
Some lights (like those in the light houses) need to be fitted in this abandoned ship to avoid another unsuspecting ship colliding with it.
This has led to a situation like 'who will bell the cat' .
Authorities need to move fast on this issue.