Ports asked to strengthen coordination for vessel security

New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) The Shipping Ministry today asked port authorities to strengthen coordination amongst agencies dealing with maritime agencies in the wake of recent grounding of ships due to rough weather conditions.

Shipping, Road Transport&Highways Minister T.R. Baalu, who reviewed security arrangements at a high-level inter-ministerial meeting here, said all Major Port authorities should ensure that vessels leaving or entering ports were safely manoeuvrable till they are well clear of the vicinity of the ports and their approaches.

Mr Baalu summoned the meeting in the wake of five incidents of merchant ships being disabled or grounded in the Indian coastal waters due to very rough weather conditions during the last few days leading to loss of four vessels and four lives.

These incidents took place off Andaman Islands, New Mangalore Port Trust, Vadakara near Calicut, Khanderi Island near Mumbai and Porbandar.

The high-level meeting, attended by senior officers from Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence, DG Shipping and Shipping Corporation of India, was convened to review the situation and identify immediate steps for improving emergency response and preparedness to mitigate such incidents in future.

Based on the initial reports available on these incidents, several remedial measures were considered during the meeting.

The Minister asked the participants to further strengthen the existing coordination amongst various agencies dealing with maritime control, safety and emergencies.

Mr Baalu also directed the port authorities to ensure that masters of all vessels leaving ports were adequately cautioned about the prevailing weather conditions outside the port area.

The ports were also directed to ensure that during deteriorating weather conditions, vessels at anchor should keep their engines on standby and sea-worthy.

The Mercantile Marine Department was instructed to undertake mandatory rigorous Port State Control inspection in respect of vessels older than 20 years to ensure their safety and accident-free voyages.

UNI