Kochi: The building of fishing boats and other vessels without incorporating new technological developments is also responsible for the mishaps such as the one that took place in Fort Kochi on Wednesday, experts feel.
“There is no regulatory system for the building of fishing boats in the state” said Dr Sivaprasad, head of the ship technology department at the Cochin University of Science and Technology. “There is only an agency for registering boats, but no monitoring agency for building and designing.”
Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal, a leader of Kerala Boat Owners Association, said fishing vessels are built after getting a gear vessel simulation certificate in most countries, including those in Africa. “We have demanded to introduce such a system here long ago. Indian Council of Agriculture Research has also allocated '4.5 crore to the Kochi-based Central Institute for Fisheries Technology for developing such a facility,” he said.
“But, the fund lapsed due to the inept handling by the CIFT authorities. Most vessels are built based on a ‘rule of thumb’ calculation by the local artisans without taking into account technological developments in the sector.” Dr. Pyarilal, an associate professor of ship technology, also stressed the need for standard practice based on new technological advances for building boats. The tragedy that took place in Fort Kochi, however, is more of a navigational issue.
“The first thing to find out is whether both the ‘sranks’ (boat driver) were having a valid license,” he said, adding a fishing boat ramming into a passenger vessel was very rare.
“The crew operating in the region depend a lot on their experience to navigate the busy route.”
