"Dont permit salvage operation of sunken MV Den Den": Fishermen

Mangalore, Sept 5 (UNI) The Akhila Karnataka Fishermen Parishat today urged the Deputy Commissioner not to permit any salvage operation of sunken Eritrean Ship M V Den Den off Tannirbavi Coast on June 13.

In a memorandum Parishat General Secretary Vasudeva Boloor stated that any salvage operation should be abandoned in the best interest of both fishermen community and the marine environment.

Mr Boloor warned the District Administration that the fishermen would be forced to resort to agitation if the authorities go ahead with move to break the ship which would have far reaching effect on both the environment and the marine life.

However, sources at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) had expressed that salvage operation was the only option left as it was not possible to float wreckage piece by piece.

Meanwhile both the district administration and the NMPT authorities were making all efforts in vein to clear off the ship wreck as early as possible. According to sources, due to the lacunaes existing in the Indian Maritime Law, several issues linked to salvage of the ship could not be sorted out yet. These issues have become stumbling block in signing of a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) between NMPT and Protection and Indemnity Club on behalf of the owners of MV Den Den.

In the absence of such letter, the 21 crew members who have been rescued from the sinking ship on June 23 by local fishermen were still remained in a hotel in the city here since over two and half month and they have become desperate to reach their motherland.

UNI