Submerged boat a grave hazard to fisher folk at alivebagilu estuary at Bengre

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 5,2017: It has come to light that fishing boats entering and departing  the estuary at Alivebagilu in Mangaluru near Bengre coast are in grave danger now that  fishing activities have commenced after a two month long break. A submerged wreck of a gilgit boat that sank near the coast has not been cleared either by the boat owner or  the concerned authorities.

This neglegent attitude of all concerned is a serious threat to the fishing boats. If the sunken wreck is left unattended at  this point  in the sea then it could be a danger spot as hundreds of boats sail into the sea and return to Bandar port 24x7.

Heavy silting and erosion has also created serious posing risk to the fishermen near Alivebagilu for the last a few years  and submerged gilgit boat is now an added one. The old lighthouse at Bolar too is neglected and falling apart which is a gross crime of the port authorities and may not provide guidance to boats..

The submerged boat reportedly contains 12,000 liter diesel in its fuel tank and if it leaked into the sea then it is expected to adversely impact the sea creatures, livelihood of local fishermen. The owner of the boat informed the locals that, the fuel could be taken out of fuel tank with necessary safety precautions.

The boat sunk in the sea on May 25 and the owner of the boat Lokanath Bolar said the boat will be taken out of the water within a time span of 15 days.

Trawler Boat Fishermen’s Association, Mangaluru President Nithin Kumar has urged the owner of the boat and concerned authorities including district administration to refloat the distressed boat or shift it immediately to ensure the safety of the fishermen and environment.