The Hindu Business Line : Baalu asks ports to ensure vessels' safety

New Delhi June 26 In the backdrop of recent incidents wherein merchant ships were grounded in Indian coastal waters, the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, asked all major port authorities to ensure that vessels leaving or entering ports are safely manoeuvred till they are clear of the ports' vicinity.

The high-level meeting, attended by senior officers from Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence, DG Shipping and Shipping Corporation of India, was convened to review the situation and identify immediate steps for improving emergency response and preparedness to mitigate such incidents in future, the Ministry stated in a release.

Mr Baalu asked the participants to further strengthen the existing co-ordination amongst various agencies dealing with maritime control, safety and emergencies. The port authorities were asked to ensure that masters of all vessels leaving port are adequately cautioned about the prevailing weather conditions outside the port area.

The ports have also been asked to ensure that during deteriorating weather conditions, vessels at anchor should keep their engines on standby and sea-worthy. The Mercantile Marine Department has been instructed to undertake mandatory rigorous port State control inspection in respect of vessels older than 20 years to ensure their safety and accident-free voyages, added the release.