Tamil Nadu: Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Rams Into Boat, Leaves 17 TN Fishermen Injured

Meanwhile, the SAFF is also acting on getting an FIR registered against the boat from Marina police. 

Local fishermen conduct rescue operation mid-sea (Image for representation)

Chennai: Nearly 17 fishermen suffered injuries after the mechanised boat that they were traveling in collided with another Panama-flagged cargo ship in Colachel of Kanyakumari district on Friday. Of the 17 crew members of the mechanised boat, two suffered severe injuries and were rushed to Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital for treatment. 

According to news agency PTI, the collision of the Panama-flagged cargo ship Navious Venus was due to the negligence of the pilot, said South Asian Fishermen Fraternity (SAFF) General Secretary Father Churchill.

The SAFF chief also alleged that the vessel did not stop even after ramming into the boat. Hence, he urged the Tamil Nadu government to arrest the captain and seize the vessel and to give compensation to the fishermen who suffered injuries. 

The SAFF chief said that these incidents will continue if there's no strict action. 

In a press release, the Coast Guard stated that a vessel collided with a fishing boat Shijumon and in the impact two fishermen were thrown off the boat. However, all the fishermen were rescued and were given medical assistance, said the Coast Guard. 

Further, it said that the fishing boat was escorted by local fishermen and all the remaining 15 crew members reached Colachel fishing harbour.  

Meanwhile, the SAFF is also acting on getting an FIR registered against the boat from Marina police. 

SAFF, in a representation to the Directorate General of Shipping said, the boat belongs to Rajamani from Kotilpaadu of Kanyakumari district and the two persons who were thrown out of the boat were identified as Chinnathurai (50) and Arulraj (60), who are currently receiving treatment in Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital. 

Further, the representation urged the officials to take immediate legal action against the Navious Venus which rammed into the boat of the fishermen and caused injuries to the fishermen and damages to the boat.