KOCHI: The crew of the fishing boat Prathyasa had a narrow escape from disaster when the merchant ship MSC Silver 2 collided with their vessel on Wednesday evening. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident resulted in significant losses for the crew, particularly as the ship damaged their net filled with the day’s catch. The crew stated that the mackerel alone had a market value of around ₹10 lakh, not including the additional catch and the cost of the damaged net.
The crew recounted the harrowing experience, explaining that at approximately 5 PM, while they were about 7.5 nautical miles off the Kannamaly coast, the MSC Silver 2 approached their boat. Despite sending a wireless warning signal, the ship’s captain did not alter its course until alerted by other nearby fishing vessels. “If that ship hadn’t stopped after the alarm was raised, our boat could have been completely crushed, putting our lives at risk,” they noted.
The financial repercussions of the incident have been severe. In addition to losing their catch and net, the crew faces an estimated ₹5 lakh in repair costs for their damaged boat. With no net available and their vessel in disrepair, they are unable to fish, which poses a significant threat to their livelihoods.
