Kochi: The movement of big vessels to the Kochi Port and back was restored on Saturday after wreckage of a fishing vessel, which sunk in the navigation channel over a week back, was removed.
“Normal vessel operations commenced and the channel opened for vessels upto 14.5-metre draft from Saturday,” a statement issued by the Cochin Port Trust said.
Meanwhile, the Port authorities are set to sue various agencies after it incurred a direct loss of Rs 30 lakh due to the incident.
“The absolute recklessness with which an unseaworthy vessel was brought into the navigational channel of the Port has caused immense loss to the Port. Movement of such unseaworthy vessels is prohibited as per the ISPS Code and the notifications of the Director General of Shipping. It is surprising to note that such corroded unseaworthy vessels were given license renewals and allowed to run posing danger to everyone,” it said.
The Port Trust has called for proper registration and implementation of effective monitoring system from the part of registering authorities.
The incident happened on September 19 after the steel fishing vessel ‘Neetiman’ sank in the shipping channel between Vypeen and Fort Kochi while being towed into the harbor from outer sea. Initially the Fisheries Department attempted to remove the wreckage but failed.
The Port Trust entrusted ‘M/s Lots Shipping’ for the job on September 21 noon. However, inclement weather and the fact that the vessel was corroded made the job tough. Finally after 11 days, the wreckage was completely removed by Saturday.
