Vizhinjam: The Panama-registered ship that rammed and destroyed a fishing boat that had gone out to sea from Neendakara has been taken into custody by officials of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping).
The oil tanker MT Solis, which caused the accident, was taken under custody and taken to the outer sea off Vizhinjam around 12 noon on Monday.
Following the accident, the vessel had been detained about 57 nautical miles from Muttom harbour in Kanyakumari. DG Shipping authorities had asked the Vizhinjam Coast Guard station commander, Suresh Kurup, to take the ship into custody. Accordingly, the Coast Guard vessel Anagh escorted MT Solis to the outer sea off Vizhinjam after taking it into custody.
A team of officials, including the Chief Surveyor of DG Shipping who arrived from Kochi, boarded the ship and conducted a preliminary survey.
Officials of the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mumbai, are expected to arrive on Tuesday morning for further inspection. Preliminary findings indicate that the accident occurred near an international shipping lane. To confirm this, statements will be collected from the ship's 20-member crew, including the captain.
The accident occurred around 1:45 pm on Saturday, about 57 nautical miles from Muttom harbour in Kanyakumari. The oil tanker rammed the trawling boat "St. Joseph," owned by Rajesh Mathew, which had gone fishing towards the Kanyakumari side from Neendakara in Kollam. The boat was destroyed and sank.
Of the 11 fishermen on board, nine were rescued by the ship's crew, while two remain missing.
The Vizhinjam Coast Guard has registered a case in connection with the incident. Since the accident occurred within Tamil Nadu waters, the case will be transferred there for further proceedings.