Tamil Nadu

Boat capsize: safety norms thrown to the winds

A.V.Ragunathan

`Officials did not equip themselves'

VILLUPURAM: In their eagerness to enthuse the fishermen to resume the fishing activity, the Collectors of the tsunami-battered districts seem to be paying scant attention to their personal safety.

The boat capsize at Mudaliarkuppam on Wednesday is the second one in the post-tsunami period in which the Villupuram Collector, Ka.Balachandran, fell into the waters and was admitted to the hospital.

The first one occurred at Thevanampattinam in Cuddalore district on April 2,2005 when the boats donated under Project Hope began their maiden journey. One of the boats carrying a music troupe capsized and an artist who swallowed ample quantity of saline water along with slush had to be admitted to hospital.

The troupe also lost personal belongings such as golden chains and bracelets, and cellphones. The ill-fated boat had a close shave (while taking a sharp swerve) with the one in which the Cuddalore Collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, and the Hindi actor, Vivek Oberoi, were sailing. However, the Collector and the dignitaries had a narrow escape .

Overloading

In both the incidents, it was a sheer case of overloading and little concern for safety.

The officials did not consider it proper to equip themselves with lifejackets and lifebuoys before setting sail. They were under the notion that since the fishermen, who were ace-swimmers, accompanied them nothing adverse would happen.

The officials too were least concerned about the carrying capacity of the boats: for a fibre boat with an outboard engine could carry a maximum of eight persons, but in both incidents the boats were overloaded.

In the Thevanampattinam case at least the officials were seated, whereas at Mudaliarkuppam they were standing.

The fishermen look at the Collectors as saviors, because they bring succour to them, and this popular support prompts the officials to take to sea.

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