The Hindu : Kerala News : Flaws in marine rescue to the fore

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Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007
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Kerala

Flaws in marine rescue to the fore

Staff Reporter

Fisherman, missing from Sunday, yet to be traced

Four country boats capsized on Sunday morning
Fishermen say a rescue boat arrived only at 5 p.m.

KASARAGOD: Failure of the authorities to trace one of the fishermen reported missing in the sea off Bekal coast here has brought to light the inadequacies in marine rescue facilities in the district.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning when four country boats carrying fishermen capsized in the rough seas off Thrikkannad beach. Of the two persons reported missing, the body of one was recovered the next day. But the whereabouts of the other, A.K. Radhakrishnan, of Marakkappu beach, remained unknown till Tuesday evening. Regarding the search and rescue operations, fishermen’s organisations complained that though they had informed authorities about the accident around 10 a.m., a rescue boat arrived only at 5 p.m. A rescue boat of the Fisheries Department is moored at Kannur and it takes considerable time for the boat to arrive here.

It is pointed out that there are no facilities for Fisheries Department along Kasaragod coast to moor the rescue boat allotted for the district.

Ill-equipped aircraft

Fishermen complained that though Navy’s help was sought by the administration, the aircraft sent by the Navy was equipped only to conduct search operations and not for rescue activities.

The district administration is trying to seek the help of Union Government through the local MP to deploy experts of Indian Navy to locate Mr. Radhakrishnan.

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