"Rust buckets" spell doom for mariners

MUMBAI, June 19: The capsizing of MV Arcadia Pride seven nautical miles from the Prong Lighthouse off the Mumbai coast today has once again raised questions about the sea-worthiness of Indian bulk carriers.

There has been a sharp increase in the mishaps involving Indian bulk carriers after the Maritime Safety Comittee (MSC) raised the sea-worthiness age limit to 30 from 20 years. This it did overlooking the recommendations made by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), of which India is a member country. According to Kashinath Divecha, a National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) office-bearer, the matter was brought to the notice of the government and the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), and the authorities were requested to undertake a comprehensive review of the safety standards. But nothing was done. “The GOI had rushed ahead with the decision to increase the age limit of Indian bulk carriers to 30 years instead of waiting for the outcome of the MSC meeting in May 1995,” he added.

NSUI has asked its members to sign on a ship over 20 years of age only if they were satisfied with its sea-worthiness irrespective of whether it carries a certificate of inspection and safety. Sources in the shipping industry claim that the ships which are over 15 years old pose a grave risk to the lives of those serving on board. Indian waters are not safe. After the age of 15 years, the vessels become rust buckets, they added.

Poor track record

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The NUSI has identified the following over-aged (Over 20 years) bulk carriers which sank in the seas in the recent past:

* MV Mahajagmitra – Sank in the Bay of Bengal in November 1990 (55 dead)

* MV Kairali – sank in the Arabian Sea in July 1979 (37 dead)

* MV Nityaram and MV Nityanayak – sank simultaneously in the Bay of Bengal in June 1985 (over 44 dead).

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* MV Barkat 107 – sank off the Gujarat coast in June 96 (14 dead)