Staff Reporter
Port Blair, June 11: The body of the seaman of M V Nicobar, who had gone missing after falling into the sea from the ship was recovered by divers of Indian Navy yesterday midnight after several hour long search.
“The SCI seaman, Subir Chaterjee, 52 years, resident of Kolkata had fallen into the space, between the Haddo wharf and M V Nicobar, from the ganway of ship at 8.00 pm last night,” Mr. Chinmoy Biswal, the Superintendent of Police, South Andaman told Andaman Sheekha today.
According to initial reports, the seaman was trying to enter the ship under heavy influence of alcohol and suddenly he lost balance and fell into the sea.
“An UD FIR has been lodged at PS Chatham in this regard and further investigations are on,” the SP added.
This incident has once again proved that consumption of alcohol is common among the seamen on duty, which often leads to accidents like this. This incident has also raised questions on the inadequate safety measures onboard passenger ships.
“As per norms there should be proper netting below the gangway for the safety of passengers and crew, which was not there during the accident, it seems. Who should be blamed for this,” a seaman told Andaman Sheekha who doesn’t want his name to be quoted.
