Helpless as trawler hit in international waters: CM
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 26 April 2013 17:43 IST
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has expressed his inability to take action against the Coast Guard vessel that hit the trawler while the trawler owners are demanding arrest of the captain of the vessel.
“My hands are tied since the accident happened in the international territory”, Parrikar told goanews.com today afternoon.
The accident took place 47 nautical miles off Agonda coast in Canacona, the southernmost taluka of Goa.
He however has assured to take up the matter even to the defense ministry, if the Coast Guard does not come out with severe action against the vessel.
The Coast Guard vessel ICGS Vaibhav hit the fishing trawler ‘Sea Messiah’ at 5.15 yesterday early morning, breaking the trawler into two pieces.
The crew members kept themselves afloat for five hours till 23 of them were rescued by other fishing trawlers.
Till now, only one body has been traced by the Coast Guard while five crew members are still missing.
The trawler owners on the other hand are agitated since Coast Guard has not taken any action against the captain of the vessel.
The Cutbona Boat Owners’ Union, accompanied by fisheries minister Avertano Furtado and Velim MLA Benjamin Silva, had a meeting with the Coast Guard officials today morning.
The Coast Guard has already initiated Board of Inquiry into the whole incident, with an intention to take necessary action against the culprits.
“I will wait for the report of the Coast Guard. If no action is taken, I will approach the defense ministry”, said Parrikar.
The trawler owners from Cutbona, Vasco and Panaji demanded at a press conference today evening seizing of the vehicle as well as arrest of the captain.
