More boats venture out to trace missing fishermen

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 29. Amidst complaints of Government lethargy in the rescue operations, three more boats were pressed into service from Vizhinjam early this morning to trace the six missing fishermen.

In addition to the Fisheries Department boat, two boats manned by shark hunters from Thothoor, Eravi Puthenthura and Chinnathura in Kanyakumari district, who are skilled in deep sea operations, have also joined the search. The women and children of the families of the missing fishermen have flocked to the "kurisadi" at Kottapuram praying for their safe return.

Meanwhile, lack of space to park fishing boats, which have reached the harbour from Tamil Nadu, Munambam, and Neendakara following the trawling ban, has given way to more confusion.

There are complaints that the Government has not responded positively and taken effective steps to intensify the search and provide relief to the affected families.

The parish priest, Fr. Eugene Pereira, said that the district administration had told him on Wednesday that the Coast Guard ship would soon reach here for the search, but the ship has not moved from Alappuzha so far.

Fr. Pereira said he sought the services of the shark hunters as they could sense the changing conditions in the deep sea and act instantly. Though the exterior may appear calm, the Arabian Sea would be too rough during the monsoon. The Government boat crew lack the proficiency to sense the changes and go beyond 35 km, he said.

During the last fortnight, 18 fishermen were reported missing and 12 of them were rescued by the local fishermen who went out in a mechanised country craft, he said.

Absence of a permanent security mechanism in Vizhinjam has also affected the rescue operations, the Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation State president, Mr. T. Peter, said.

Five rescue boats which were built spending lakhs would not be operational during the monsoon season. Though it was brought to the notice of the Government that the rescue boat Kaveri in Vizhinjam is not operational, no steps have been taken so far, Mr. Peter said.

The federation wants to make the boats operational and appoint traditional fishermen as crew members. Fishworkers should be trained in the mechanism of the engines used in boats so that they can survive a crisis, Mr. Peter said.

It remains to be seen whether the Government would consider the suggestions at least in the coming season.

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Section  : Southern States
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