Authorities knew 'Atlantic' flouted norms, but nobody cared: Boat owners
Tanur: Government authorities, including the minister V Abdurahiman, who is also the local MLA, and port officials were aware that ‘Atlantic', the boat that capsized near an estuary close to Tanur on Sunday, was conducting illegal services, said the other boat owners at the Thoovaltheeram beach.
Muhajid, a Tanur native and the co-owner of tourist boats Theeram No 1 & 2, was the first of many, who raised concerns about the illegal and unsafe services of the double-decker boat ‘Atlantic'.
Muhajid's two boats also conduct leisure trips at Thooval Theeram Beach.
Muhajid alleged that government figures, including Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, were notified of the illegal services conducted by 'Atlantic'. However, he claimed that 'Atlantic' owner Nassar used his political clouts to suppress complaints against him.
The boat owners asserted that they had a copy of the RTI reply from the fisheries department indicating that the double-decker boat ‘Atlantic’ should not conduct service.
"We filed several complaints to Malappuram SP, coastal authorities and port authority in Ponnani when the boat (Atlantic) was undergoing illegal modifications at a yard. It is illegal to modify or build such a boat as per the Marine Fisheries Regulation Act. I have a copy of the RTI filed detailing the same," he said. Muhajid alleged that the minister failed to act on the complaint despite submitting the same in the presence of the district collector.
"For the past year, we have filed several complaints and approached several government offices. However, nobody paid attention to our warnings. We even tried to stop Atlantic from conducting its illegal service by filing a request before Fisheries Minister. Yesterday it was our boat that reached the spot first to carry out the rescue operations. We managed to save around 12 people," Muhajid said.
The boat owners questioned how the authorities issued 'Atlantic' a registration number of 'KIV BPR PV 99/23' when it was clear that the boat received illegal modifications at a yard not registered under Kerala Inland Vessel (KIV) rules.
Interestingly, Muhajid alleged that he was physically manhandled by the driver of 'Atlantic' when he tried to stop them. Earlier today, the visuals of Muhajid protesting against the 'Atlantic' crew went viral on social media.
He pointed out that they protested seconds before 'Atlantic' left the docking yard in Thoovaltheeram Beach to conduct service after regular working hours.
"We conducted our last service and returned to the beach by 6:30 pm on Sunday. The people waiting on the shore almost left after we halted our services for the day. However, the crew of 'Atlantic' were ready to take them. Despite our protests, the boat left the dock at around 7 pm," he said.
Recently, another boat named 'Capico' conducted services illegally despite lacking the necessary documents, he alleged.
"Capico was forced to end service due to a complaint filed to the district collector and the intervention of the public. Four days ago, the same boat resumed service and almost met with a mishap. However, the owner changed the boat's name to 'Jai Hanuman' and painted the boat black after I filed another complaint to the collector," he added.