Team Herald
VASCO: Making yet another appeal to the State government to come to their rescue, the Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Monday claimed that if the need arises to save their barges from sinking they would be forced to dump ore in the river or sea.
“If our barges are found to be sinking we will be left with no other alternative but to throw the ore from our barges into the river/sea (wherever the barges are). The authorities should know that we have taken loan on these barges and have kept our houses as collateral securities,” GBOA President Raymond de Sa said.
“Some five to six years back, when the weather was rough, three loaded barges sank into the sea near MPT berth number 9. We don’t want same tragedy to happen again. Banks will be the first to auction our houses plus to salvage or remove the barge wreck; we will have to spend three times the barge cost.”
If barge insurance expires tomorrow and if our barge sinks after a week then will the insurance company will pay us? Desa asked.
He said, “I strongly feel that the state government has to take responsibility and should come out with some policy where in we are allowed to off-load ore from our barges. Currently, the situation is quite confusing and we are not getting any positive signals. If monsoon arrives then it would be difficult to offload the wet ore loaded on our barges. In such circumstances what are we supposed to do as even the shippers will refuse to take the ore.”
He said, “GBOA has already started its preparations to approach the High Court in the matter. We have given representation to exporters giving them time to file plea before court and get the order so as to discharge the cargo. Our advocate has already started drafting the petition and in the meantime we are waiting for the exporters to reply”.
He claimed that currently 60 barges are loaded with ore and majority of them are anchored in the port area which might obstruct free movement of ships and fishing vessels.
“We fear that if any of our barges sinks at the current location then it will be a big obstruction for navigation in port area. Similarly, the way our barges are anchored it will be very difficult for the ships or fishing trawlers to come to the jetty,” he said.
He said that since their barges are taking shelter in port area, GBOA has officially asked MPT to provide free food and water to the crew.
“If MPT can provide free food and water to fishing boat crew that had come to port area seeking safe shelter, MPT should also provide similar assistance to our barges having Goan crew,” he demanded.
