The tragedy off Mumbai port where two ships flying the Panaminian flags collided a few fays ago was waiting to happen. With the container ship shedding oilthe situation is very serious, for the residents of Mumbai. Also, the Ports of Mumbai and JNPT have since been shut down, as the 'Chitra' has dropped an unspecified number of containers into the sea, which are a navigational hazard and preclude other ships from safely entering or leaving port.
Amidst the breast beating a couple of questions need to be answered:
1. Did the two ships have Harbour pilots on board?
2. Mumbai has a fully functional Vessel Traffic Management System, which should have been guiding both ships.
3. Our disaster response and management systems have proven to inadequate again.
A laundry list of the damages.
1. Environmental disaster which is still unravelling.
2. India's financial hub shut down.
3. Huge capital loss, in terms of damage to ships and cargo, where an insurance firm is going to take a severe hit.Maybe the ships are a total write off.
4. Cost of salvaging the sinking container ship. This task is going to be tough- tough, due to the choppy seas around Mumbai, in this time of the year.
5. The possibility that the Chitra, will prove to be a permanent wreck, impeding navigation around the ports.
Initially, it was thought that there were no fatalities. That apparently is wrong.A poor police officer with limited swimming skills fell off the police patrol boat and drowned.Trust us to have the wrong people at the wrong place.The other policemen in the speed boat ( three ) also did not know swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One can only grind one's teeth in frustration..................
1 comment:
It is another major incident which shows the Irresponsible nature of authorities towards public losses.
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