Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Sept 19: Death of a crew member on board MV Harshavardhana has sparked fresh controversy over the safety apparatus on mainland-bound vessels.
While one life has been lost, many believe that in this case also all the people who are actually responsible will escape from any kind of investigation or inquiry.
Atleast the Forward Seafarer Union of India has come forward to raise voice in this regard and challenge the SCI.
Accusing the management of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) of negligence, members of the Forward Seafarer Union of India (FSUI) claimed that despite the fragile condition of the Derik on board MV Harshavardhana being reported to the authorities, the SCI managed to obtain survey clearance for the vessel a few months ago.
“This is a blatant case of negligence by the SCI. During several safety meetings, the poor condition of the wire rope as also weak drum of the crane were reported to the concerned officials of the SCI but instead of replacing the damaged and fragile Crane and its accessories, the SCI obtained the survey clearance of the ship, God knows how. Such unprofessional conduct of SCI has cost a precious live of one of our colleagues. Deck Sarang had reported about these faults in every safety meeting but no action was taken to repair the faults,” alleges Mr Dinesh Ram, Organising Secretary, Forward Seafarer Union of India.
“Such instances reveal corrupt practices in the SCI for obtaining survey clearance of ships which was unsafe both at sea and at ports,” said another crew member while talking to Andaman Sheekha.
On Sunday, a major accident occurred on board MV Harshavardhana killing one crew namely Mohd Shajahan, 55 years, resident of Baibhyaha, Kulpi, South 24 Paraganas, while he was performing his duties on board the vessel berthed at Haddo wharf at around 11:20 am. The Derik wire of the crane snapped during regular work, because of which the massive boom of the Derik, hit the crew Mohd Shajahan working nearby. He was rushed to GB Pant Hospital where doctors declared him died on arrival.
Andaman Sheekha tried to contact Mr. Mesh Ram, Senior Vice President of SCI through phone but he was unreachable over phone. Even he preferred not to reply to our questions over SMS.
Surprisingly nearly one year back the ship cleared all Survey after going through major repair works at Sri Lankan. Now question arises that with such faulty parts and equipments how the ship cleared survey.
Seamen now demand a thorough inquiry into this entire matter by top investigating agencies as if nothing is done now safety of seamen working day night in ships will always be at risk of disaster.
