THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fishermen who went for rescue missions post-cyclone Ockhi have been encountering several fibre and plywood boats that were floating upside down on high seas. The revenue officials were yet to make an effort to identify or attempt to recover the vessels and possessions of fishermen who were either rescued or missing. Some parties have reportedly managed to bring home gears and engines. As per the Latin Catholic Church Vicar General Eugene H. Pereira around 78 fibre and plywood boats from Thiruvananthapuram district and 71 from Thoothoor in Tamil Nadu were still missing. This is apart from engines that fall under 40, 20 and 25 horsepower categories.
“Most of the vessel which was spotted on high seas had no damages. They can be recovered. Church, will be able to put up an accurate estimate on missing valuables, once few more vessels return from Lakshadweep, Maharashtra and Karnataka,” he said. Most of the missing vessels cost around Rs 15-20 lakh and many were taken on loans. Fishing nets worth around Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 was present in most of the boats comprising two to three men. They were purchased from cooperative societies. Apart from this are expensive devices used for angling.
“Bigger boats with cranes can recover these fishing vessels by lifting and draining water from them. Apart from Coast Guard, the Adani group has capable vessels and barges around Vizhinjam. The boats have names and identification numbers and can be handed over to the owners or their dependents,” said an activist. The revenue officials told that they were still focusing on rescue missions and have not made plans to recover the vessels.
