PANJIM/VASCO: The Harbour Coastal Police on Tuesday registered a case against the owner and operator of the stranded boat ‘MV Nerul Paradise’ that was rescued by Indian Coast Guard off Dona Paula on Sunday, for operating the boat without licence and endangering the lives of 24 tourists and a crew member.
The police registered a case against boat owner Vasudev Calangutkar from Nerul and operator Abhishek Rathod (20), a native of Karnataka and currently residing at Candolim.
The coastal police have charged the duo for operating the inland passenger vessel without obtaining the necessary documents or licences from the competent authority and also for negligently navigating into the sea, putting the lives of passengers and crew members at risk.
According to the police, Calangutkar allowed Rathod to operate the inland passenger boat without any documents or licence from the competent authority to operate it and with their common intention boarded the boat with tourist passengers and a crew member.
Rathod negligently operated the boat and ventured into the sea thereby endangering the life of the passengers and crew member who were on board and got stranded in the sea, as the operator could not navigate the boat in the sea and had to be rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.
The Harbour Coastal police have registered an offence against Calangutkar and Rathod under Sections 280 and 336 read with 34 IPC.
PSI Pritesh Govekar is conducting further investigations.
Tourism MinISTER warns of strict action against illegal operators
PANJIM: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday warned that strict action will be taken against those operating tourism trade activities without obtaining NOC of the Department of Tourism, as they jeopardise the safety of tourists.
Khaunte said, “I have already asked Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka to seek a reply from the Captain of Ports as to how NOCs were granted to these boats and allowed to operate them for tourists, without obtaining NOC from the Department of Tourism.”
Khaunte said that the Department of Tourism had already issued a circular asking all departments concerned not to issue NOCs for tourism trade-related activities without registering with the Department of Tourism.
The Department of Tourism had issued a directive requiring all watersports boats to obtain a NOC from the department before seeking NOC from the Captain of Ports (CoP). Unfortunately, compliance has been lacking. Calangute beach is already overcrowded with watersports activities, leaving no room for additional operations. The incident occurred on Sunday, serving as a critical reminder that the responsibility lies with the Captain of Ports. Therefore, all associations must submit their data, and strict actions will be taken against those operating without the Department of Tourism’s NOC, endangering the safety of tourists.
