Kochi Corporation proposes buyback of old fishing gear to address safety threats to ro-ro services
One of the two propellers of a ro-ro ferry stalled after becoming entangled in a large bundle of discarded ropes while the vessel was en route from Vypeen to Fort Kochi recently.
The Kochi Corporation plans to implement a buyback program for aged fishing gear, aiming to mitigate the dangers posed by abandoned nets and ropes to its roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessels and passengers. This proposal stems from a recent incident where a ferry's propeller became entangled in discarded ropes, causing the vessel to drift towards open waters on August 4, 2026.
The accident, which led to the vessel losing propulsion, has left the ro-ro ferry out of service. Mayor V.K. Minimol emphasized the need for such a scheme to discourage careless disposal of fishing gear and ropes, as the issue could prove fatal if ignored. The ro-ro vessel involved in the accident was recovered only after a fisheries patrol boat and the marine enforcement team intervened.
The Corporation has previously raised concerns with the Fisheries department and the State government regarding this matter. While some speculate that scrap traders may contribute to the problem by dumping unwanted materials purchased from ships into the water, local fishing workers deny this, stating that they tend to reuse or sell such materials to scrap dealers.
Investigations into the involvement of scrap dealers are ongoing. The Vypeen-Fort Kochi Passengers Association has accused boat repair yards in the vicinity of contributing to the issue. In response to the incident, Minimol ordered the suspension of ro-ro services during periods of strong undercurrents to prevent further risks to life.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
