Captain of Ports report attributes accident to operator’s error and overloading
PANAJI
Following the death of a Maharashtrian tourist due to negligence of crew members of a water sports boat, the Tourism Department has decided to debar the boat operator for a period of three years.
The Captain of Ports in its report has stated that the Calangute boat accident was due to operator error and overloading which resulted into the vessel overturning. The vessel was carrying 25 passengers as against its limit of 10.
Coastal Police have arrested the two crew members of the boat – Dharappa Zhirali from Belagavi and Ibrahim Sab from Shimoga.
While police registered an offence against boat owner Alex Coutinho, CoP records show that the boat is registered in Meena Coutinho’s name.
Highly placed sources confirmed that as per the Water Sports Policy, which regulates the activities, the decision has been taken to debar the operator, in this case both Alex Coutinho and Meena Coutinho, from undertaking any such water sports activities for a period of three years.
Sources said that the policy clearly says that the operator should be debarred in case he or she causes any death or grievous injury to any tourist or general public on account of neglect. “And in this case, one tourist has already lost his life while others were put to risk. This was clear act of negligence and violations of law,” sources said.
The policy also says that any operator who causes harm/ injury/ death to a tourist/ general public/ third party on account of his actions/ irresponsible behaviour/ neglect of safety norms, etc shall be punishable as per relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), Criminal Procedure Code (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) or Civil Procedure Code as the case may be.
Sources also informed that the Tourism Department has roped in the National Institute of Water Sports to impart training to the boat operators and other crew members. “They are trained to deal with emergencies and rescue procedures. The operators have to ensure that only trained crew members are onboard,” sources said.
A tourist from Maharashtra’s Khed region Suryakant Pophalkar died while five other passengers including a child were injured in the accident.
The owner of the boat had claimed that while it was heading out at sea, the outboard engine hit the sand and shut down, which then overturned.
