Back-to-back ship accidents off Kerala coast raise alarms over safety, environmental concerns

Kozhikode: Two major ship accidents have happened off the coast of Kerala within a span of just two weeks, raising questions about maritime safety in the region. The latest incident involves the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Wan Hai 503, which caught fire and lost several containers overboard. The accident occurred 78 nautical miles west of the Beypore-Azhikkal port.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have launched a rescue operation, with several ships and aircraft involved in the effort. Five crew members have been rescued with injuries, while four others, including the captain and three engineers, are missing. The Coast Guard has clarified that the ship was carrying hazardous materials categorised into four classes, including flammable liquids, solids, and toxic substances.

On May 24, a cargo ship sank in the Arabian Sea, 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi, after taking on water in adverse weather conditions. The incident resulted in many containers stacked on the ship's upper deck falling into the sea, with materials including plastic washing ashore and causing significant environmental concerns.

The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact, including damage to marine life and the risk of other ships colliding with floating containers. The state government has taken note of the situation, with the Chief Minister instructing District Collectors to prepare to provide medical treatment to those rescued.

The accidents have sparked fears of severe environmental consequences, including the spillage of ship fuel into the sea and the potential mixing of hazardous substances with the marine ecosystem.

The impact on Kerala's fishing sector is also a major concern, with the potential for long-term damage to marine life and the livelihoods of those dependent on fishing.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been praised for their prompt and proactive response to the incidents. However, questions remain about the cause of the accidents and the measures that can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Preliminary information suggests the Wan Hai ship was carrying cargo with a high potential for rapid ignition.

If risky chemicals are involved, the problems they can create would be beyond imagination. The ICGS Sachet, Arnvesh, Samudra Prahari, Abhinav, Rajdoot, and C144 are involved in the rescue operations, along with the Navy's INS Surat.