The ill-fated trawler ‘Anthony’, with a crew of five, left Cortalim jetty on Saturday night with instructions from the owner, Gracious Camilo, that they should anchor the trawler off Vasco Bay and start fishing early morning.
While the boat was proceeding towards Vasco Bay, it developed a technical snag and started sinking. Four of the crew jumped into the river and swam to the Khariwado jetty, while one was rescued by coastal police with the help of Vasco fire station personnel. The rescued fisherman was taken to Cottage Hospital, Chicalim and discharged after receiving medical aid.
A few fishermen from Khariwado informed that there was low tide at the time of the incident. Several trawlers and other vessels had capsized at the Zuari River channel and Vasco Bay earlier, and their wreckages were easily visible during low tide. The fishermen suspected that ‘Anthony’ accidentally struck one of those sunken boats, following which it capsized.
The Khariwado fishing community had raised concern about the wreckages, which include a trawler from Pakistan and Taiwan. However, the authorities have not made any attempt to remove the same and clear the channel. As a result, several trawlers and canoes were damaged.
“These sunken vessels pose a threat to the fishermen. However, despite repeated requests, the fisheries department and other agencies have done nothing to remove the wrecks. They are least bothered about the fishermen’s lives and the losses that we suffer. To avoid such incidents, the authorities should install buoys, which can warn fishermen about these wrecks. But, who cares for fishermen in the State?” said Simon Pereira, general secretary of Goa Fishing Boat Owners’ Association.
