On August 26 a barge loaded with iron ore pellets sank in the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) waters after hitting a submerged shipwreck. The crew were saved but the barrage is underwater along with tonnes of iron pellets that were to be loaded onto a ship docked at the port (TGE August 27). Reportedly, near the port area two large ships had sunk in the past, of which one has been cleared while the other which is still underwater has caused several accidents. Would the insurance company compensate the affected party for no fault of theirs? It is critical that the position of a sunken vessel or a sand bar is marked on the bathymetry maps/hydrographic charts to help other vessels to avoid the site. Additionally, flags, warning lights, floaters and buoys can be used as markers in the vicinity of any sunken vessel and sand bar. These devices serve to warn and caution the vessel operators to avoid the route. The stakeholders (owners of barges, fishing boats and trawlers) need to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities, before they suffer more losses of men and materials.
