Derelict boats near Thengapattanam and Thoothukudi pose growing environmental threat
Damaged and abandoned mechanised and country boats docked near Thengapattanam harbour as well as fishing vessels lying idle in the old harbour in Thoothukudi for the past few years pose a significant risk to marine pollution and other environmental degradation.
For the past few weeks, there has been a colossal amount of reports highlighting debris washing ashore away shipwrecks, microplastic contamination and other marine pollution issues. While plastic bottles, food wrappers, plastic bags and other plastic materials commonly cited as marine debris, experts argue that the problem extends far beyond household wastes, especially when it comes to discarded and derelict boats.
Underlining this concern, activists have called for the immediate action to remove these derelict vessels to prevent further ecological harm. They say that most of these vessels are deteriorating and at risk of sinking, yet no stringent measures have been implemented by authorities to remove or manage them.
Thengapattanam harbour houses around 700 mechanised boats and 3,000 country boats. Most of these boats are being regularly berthed along the Thamirabarani river, where the harbour extends inland. Fishermen also prefer to dock their boats in the river, as they are less prone to damages due to ocean currents and strong winds.
However, numerous boats docked here are abandoned, raising serious environmental concerns. Sagar from Erayumanthurai highlighted that the issue has been persisting for years and no actions have been taken so far. He added that the numbers of derelict vessels in the region are expected to increase in the future due to lack of clear policies or enforcement.
'I submitted a petition at the fishermen's grievance redressal meeting a few months ago, but no departments have come forward to take any action,' he mentioned.
Similarly, in Thoothukudi a mechanised boat in an old harbour and several country boats near the fishing harbour abandoned continue to pose environmental risks.
According to the article published by Central Marine Fisheries research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi in 2017 discussed the plastic reinforced fiberglass which is an addition to beach litter. Fibre glass crafts are coated with glass fibres reinforced with plastic matrix most often Epoxy Polyester Resin or Vinyl Ester through thermosetting. The article noted that the plastic reinforced fiberglass is considered human carcinogen if inhaled. If not properly disposed of, these materials can reach levels above 5-15 megagram per cubic metre and become hazardous causing irritation to eyes, skin, nose etc,. It warns that from the beach these tiny particles from the glass fibre coated with plastic resin can also enter marine food webs which is undesirable.
Justin Antony, president of INFIDET, highlighted another major problem, which is the oil spill created by these boats.
'Most of the boats would be docked with fuel in them. As they stated, immersing into the water might cause oil spill in the region,' he noted. He also mentioned that these abandoned boats are becoming a shelter for anti-social elements, which is to be curbed immediately.
Regarding the salvaging operations, an official from the Kanniyakumari fisheries department said that the directions have already been made for the fishermen. With the current fishing ban period in effect, harbour management committee are reviewing possible actions, as the salvaging operation would require a significant financial commitment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Derelict boats near Thengapattanam and Thoothukudi pose growing environmental threat
Damaged and abandoned mechanised and country boats docked near Thengapattanam harbour as well as fishing vessels lying idle in the old harbour in Thoothukudi for the past few years pose a significant risk to marine pollution and other environmental degradation. For the past few weeks, there has been a colossal amount of reports highlighting debris washing ashore away shipwrecks, microplastic contamination and other marine pollution issues. While plastic bottles, food wrappers, plastic bags and other plastic materials commonly cited as marine debris, experts argue that the problem extends far beyond household wastes, especially when it comes to discarded and derelict boats. Underlining this concern, activists have called for the immediate action to remove these derelict vessels to prevent further ecological harm. They say that most of these vessels are deteriorating and at risk of sinking, yet no stringent measures have been implemented by authorities to remove or manage them. Thengapattanam harbour houses around 700 mechanised boats and 3,000 country boats. Most of these boats are being regularly berthed along the Thamirabarani river, where the harbour extends inland. Fishermen also prefer to dock their boats in the river, as they are less prone to damages due to ocean currents and strong winds. However, numerous boats docked here are abandoned, raising serious environmental concerns. Sagar from Erayumanthurai highlighted that the issue has been persisting for years and no actions have been taken so far. He added that the numbers of derelict vessels in the region are expected to increase in the future due to lack of clear policies or enforcement. 'I submitted a petition at the fishermen's grievance redressal meeting a few months ago, but no departments have come forward to take any action,' he mentioned. Similarly, in Thoothukudi a mechanised boat in an old harbour and several country boats near the fishing harbour abandoned continue to pose environmental risks. According to the article published by Central Marine Fisheries research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi in 2017 discussed the plastic reinforced fiberglass which is an addition to beach litter. Fibre glass crafts are coated with glass fibres reinforced with plastic matrix most often Epoxy Polyester Resin or Vinyl Ester through thermosetting. The article noted that the plastic reinforced fiberglass is considered human carcinogen if inhaled. If not properly disposed of, these materials can reach levels above 5-15 megagram per cubic metre and become hazardous causing irritation to eyes, skin, nose etc,. It warns that from the beach these tiny particles from the glass fibre coated with plastic resin can also enter marine food webs which is undesirable. Justin Antony, president of INFIDET, highlighted another major problem, which is the oil spill created by these boats. 'Most of the boats would be docked with fuel in them. As they stated, immersing into the water might cause oil spill in the region,' he noted. He also mentioned that these abandoned boats are becoming a shelter for anti-social elements, which is to be curbed immediately. Regarding the salvaging operations, an official from the Kanniyakumari fisheries department said that the directions have already been made for the fishermen. With the current fishing ban period in effect, harbour management committee are reviewing possible actions, as the salvaging operation would require a significant financial commitment.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Call for long-term monitoring system to tackle marine disasters
KOCHI: Two maritime disasters -- a shipwreck and a fire on board a vessel carrying dangerous goods -- within a span of three weeks have caused concern about maritime security and damage to marine ecosystem on Kerala coast. Apart from oil spill, release of toxic chemicals, pesticide contamination and chemical fire releasing toxic plumes have triggered a debate on the possible environmental, fisheries and navigational hazards caused by the incidents. Scientists and maritime experts have demanded a mechanism to monitor the growing vessel traffic on Kerala coastline following the opening of Vizhinjam port and to ensure ships carrying dangerous goods do not pass close to the shoreline. 'The Indian Coast Guard is well equipped to tackle pollution caused by ships as they have been leading such operations in South Asia for years. They have got all facilities and equipment to remove the oil spill,' said K Sunil Muhammed, former principal scientist of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). 'But we need to have a long-term monitoring system to tackle maritime accidents in Kerala's coastal sea. Kerala has many marine research institutes with lab facilities. We should establish a network to collect water samples and conduct periodic analysis to monitor marine pollution. We should conduct periodic sampling for the next two years to study the impact of chemical pollution. This is essential to raise evidence based claims for pollution. With the inauguration of Vizhinjam port, the vessel traffic on Kerala coast is expected to rise and we should have a state-level maritime disaster management authority, including experts to respond to such accidents in future,' he said. Containers carrying hazardous cargo, including flammable liquids, industrial chemicals and pesticides, have fallen into the sea off Beypore coast following the fire on board MV Wan Hai 503 on June 9. The vessel also had around 2,000 tonnes of fuel and 240 tonnes of diesel in its bunkers. 'The discharge of marine diesel from sunken ship MSC Elsa 3 can form surface slicks blocking sunlight penetration. This will suppress photosynthesis on phytoplankton, destabilising the marine food web. Oil exposure can impair fish respiration and smother benthic organisms. Hazardous chemicals like hydrobromic acid, paraformaldehyde and methyl methacrylate can alter seawater chemistry. Potassium nitrate can trigger harmful algal blooms depleting oxygen and creating dead zones.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
'It's all too much for us': AI 171 crash claims Ahmedabad couple's lives; grieving sister dies of shock
AHMEDABAD: The AI 171 plane crash claimed the lives of two members of the Parmar family – Bhogilal, 57, and his wife Hansa, 55, natives of Rakhiyana near Mandal in Ahmedabad district – on Thursday. But even before the family could recover from the blow, they received another: Bhogilal's elder sister, Gomti Parmar, unable to process the grief, collapsed and died. Bhogilal and his wife Hansa were among the passengers on board the ill-fated Air India flight when it crashed near B J Medical College on June 12. The couple, on their first-ever trip abroad, had been invited by their son and daughter-in-law in the UK, who are expecting their first child this week. A by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Diese Wärmepumpe stellt den Heizungsmarkt auf den Kopf thermondo Undo s their relatives gathered at the family home in Lambha, Ahmedabad, to mourn, the shock of the tragedy proved too much for 65-year-old Gomti. Her son, Sagar, who lives in Vaghala near Patdi in Surendranagar, said she collapsed during the gathering and died on the spot. "She was very close to my mama (uncle)," he said. "When she heard about the crash and realized there were almost no survivors, her heart just gave out." Gomti's final rites were performed on Friday — ironically, before those of her younger brother, whose mortal remains are still being identified. While Hansa's body has been identified, DNA reports for Bhogilal are still awaited. Sagar said his cousin Pinki, Bhogilal's daughter, gave a sample for DNA matching."Their last rites will take place once both the bodies are handed over to the family," said Sagar. "It's all too much for us. My mother and uncle were emotionally very close since childhood. She couldn't bear the grief," Sagar said. "We were all excited for the baby. Now we don't know how to console each other." The family had hoped this week would be a time of celebration and joy. Instead, they find themselves reeling from loss after loss; mourning not just those who died in the crash, but also a woman who died from the weight of the sorrow.
