Kochi: The Accident Compensation Insurance Tribunal for inland water transport motor vehicles have become a reality in the state. All MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal) courts in the state have been integrated with Inland Vessel Claim Tribunals. In order to claim the compensation, the MACT court in the region where the water carriage is registered can be approached.

The government notification that was released on February 5 will be helpful to ensure protection of those who depend on water transport for commutation. The notification will be put to retrospective effect from February 21, 2008. Compensation can be sought for boat accidents that happened during this time period.

MACT courts had dismissed the compensation claim filed by families of the deceased in the 2015 Fort Kochi boat accident although the vehicle had license and registration. This was because of the reason that water transport vehicles do not come under the purview of MACT courts. Following this, the issue was taken to the High Court. It was John Fernandes MLA who brought it to the attention of the Legislative Assembly and the public.

It is stated in Kerala Inland Vessels Rule and Inland Vessels Act that 3rd party insurance is mandatory for service of registered boats.

John Fernandez MLA stated that this is an intervention which will prove to be a turning point in the water transport sector. Old accident cases can be solved using this. This will also be beneficial to insured boats in the fishing sector.