Bitter lessons of Phyan: Lifejackets made mandatory
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM, MARCH 10
Sometimes simple lessons are learnt the hard way! After cyclone ‘Phyan’ swallowed several fishermen, the Department of Fisheries has now made wearing lifejackets mandatory and has urged all jetties to procure them.
From February 2011, the Department has made wearing lifejackets mandatory for every fisherman to avert loss of lives and property whenever they go out into high seas for fishing.
“In fact, the jetties were asked to procure the jackets even before the scheme was launched,” reveals Deputy Director of Fisheries Nankishore Verlekar.
“It involves life of a person. The cost of a lifejacket is paltry compared to the value of a person,” he stressed.
Each lifejacket costs about Rs 1000. The Department has ensured that the trawler owners are reimbursed the amount as stated in the scheme in the coming financial year.
“The cost of a lifejacket is not more than the life of a person. Our endeavour is that the fishermen in any calamities are able to save their lives. Fishermen are urged to wear their jackets all the time,” Verlekar said.
The officer confirmed that almost all jetties by now should have procured lifejackets for their crew.
Now, fishermen must wear lifejackets whenever they venture into sea – a habit that could save their lives.
Under the scheme, the State will bear 75 percent of the total cost while the remaining will be borne by respective trawler owners. But the jetties will be eligible for the scheme only if they purchase lifejackets with ISI mark and approved by the Director General of Shipping.
The devastation caused due to the ‘Phyan’ cyclone that almost hit Goa coast in 2009 still makes the fishermen shudder. The lives of many families who lost their bread winners during that calamity are not the same as they were before.
Loss of lives in Phyan is primarily non-wearing of lifejackets by because fishermen.
Sources said that there was no proper legislation making wearing lifejackets mandatory, but the government is not taking any chances now.
In that cyclone, a total of 68 fishermen lost their lives. In many cases, even bodies were not found.
Bitter lessons of Phyan: Lifejackets made mandatory
PANJIM, MARCH 10 Sometimes simple lessons are learnt the hard way! After cyclone 'Phyan' swallowed several fishermen, the Department of Fisheries has now made wearing lifejackets mandatory and has urged all jetties to procure them.
