John Wilbert & M Arun
Port Blair, Nov 07: Severe shortage of Marine Pilots in Port Management Board of Andaman and Nicobar Island is not only causing delay in movement of ships inside port area but also raising serious questions over safety of vessels.
Similar to other major ports, there is also a requirement of Marine Pilots in these Islands too for safe maneuvering of ships inside port area and also for the safe berthing and unberthing of vessels.
As per details, at present there is only one full time Marine Pilot available with PMB, which is a serious cause of concern as sometimes there are requirement of Marine Pilot in Car Nicobar port, Campbell Bay port and at Port Blair port at the same point of time.
Sources said that in the current situation there is a need for at least Four Marine pilots for smooth movement of ships inside ports. This will also reduce operation time of vessel and cut vessel operation costs.
When contacted, a senior official of Port management Board, who does not want his name to be quoted, told Andaman Sheekha Daily that PMB has already take up this matter with the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and once PMB receives a response from administration they will immediately commence the further procedures.
