more-in KOCHI: With cargo movement being partially affected, making a dent into its revenue, the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has invited tenders to remove the fishing vessel that sank in the shipping channel on Tuesday. The tender will be finalised on Friday, so that the vessel is removed from the channel at the earliest. At present, ships cannot ferry their full cargo as the vessel is lying on the water bed. ‘Violation of rule’ “The incident could have been avoided had the marine enforcement wing taken the sinking vessel to the nearest coast instead of towing it towards the port where it sank. “They [enforcement wing] thus violated the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, official sources said. Even worse, the enforcement wing refused to remove the vessel from the channel, they added. Failed attempt Responding to the issue, a senior Fisheries Department official said efforts made to remove the vessel lying around 50 metres deep by hooking it to a barge had failed, possibly due to strong undercurrents. “We have no expertise in the process. We have only a regular patrol boat. It is up to the port authorities to clear the channel. A government-level decision has to be taken on compensating it for the expenses,” the official added.

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