Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Jan 27: It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words and this is true for this shocking image too, which is available with Andaman Sheekha. This picture is most probably taken from the nearest tourist boat, which crossed the ill-fated “Aqua Marine”, when it was sinking.
Surprisingly people in the said boat took photographs but did not stop to rescue people. According to the victims, a few life jackets were thrown from the said boat and three passengers were rescued but as the boat was present at place of accident, the master of the boat could have done much more than this.
However, the name of the second boat is still not clear but if records of Port Control Room is checked the name can be obtained.
It is believed that as the second boat was also carrying excessive passengers, it did not stop for the rescue work. Those who have good seamanship will never leave fellow mariners and passengers in distress for their own safety. This most inhuman and shameful act has perhaps resulted in 21 deaths of innocent people.
Perhaps this entire episode is a wake-up call for the Administration. Strict rules are there but only in rule books and there is failure in implementing the rules to the ground level. The boat operators are equally responsible for this accidents as in most of the cases these boats are run overloaded and without sufficient life jackets. It is said that “There is no mistake in life, there is only learning” and Andaman Sheekha hopes that the Administration and everybody else in these Islands will learn from this tragic accident.
