Lok Sabha Question No. 950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Collision of Fishing Boats  with  Merchant Ship
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 950

ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025

## COLLISION OF FISHING BOATS WITH MERCHANT SHIP

## 950. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  incident  in  which  the  fishing  boat Prathyasa, had gone fishing from Fort Kochi and narrowly escaped a shipwreck after being hit on its rear side by the merchant ship MSC Silver 2, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (b) whether the Government is aware that such incidents of merchant ships colliding with fishing boats have become frequent off the Kerala coast, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether any inquiry has been initiated by the Ministry of Shipping, port authorities or  coastal  police  into  the  violation  of  shipping  routes  by  MSC  Silver  2  and  similar vessels, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) whether the Government proposes to hold consultations with the fishing community to ensure the safety of fishermen and prevent future ship collisions along the Kerala coast, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (c) The incident was reported by the fisherman to the local police station in Fort Kochi but was not reported to the Indian Coast Guard and the DG Commcentre, which is functioning 24x7 for emergency response.  As per the information received from Fort Kochi Police Station, the details of the incident are as follows:-

On  01.10.2025  at  05  a.m.,  the  inboard  fishing  vessel  named  ' Prathyasha' (Registration No. IMD KL 03 MM 6680), which had departed from Mattancherry for fishing,  was  engaged  in  fishing  approximately  8  nautical  miles  southwest  of  Kochi when it was reportedly hit by the vessel MSC Silver 2 . Based on a complaint received from  Mr.  Joseph  Kurishuparambil  of  Kannamaly,  the  Syrank  of  the  inboard  vessel

Prathyasha , an inquiry was conducted. During the inquiry, both the owner of the said boat and the complainant were spoken to, and they informed in writing that they have mutually settled the matter with the authorities of the vessel MSC Silver2 and that no further legal action is required in this regard. Therefore, the further proceedings on the above complaint have been closed.

(b) & (d) During the past two years, a total of 7 incidents of collision and alleged hit and run cases between merchant ships and fishing boats were reported off the Kerala coast. Based on the findings of preliminary inquiry conducted in an incident 07 th  May 2024, Directorate General of Shipping has issued a Circular dated 17.03.2025, for sensitizing the fisherman on the safety of navigation in order to prevent such incident. Recommendation given in the Circular are  applicable to  all  Indian fishing  vessels, Fisheries Department and merchant vessels in Indian waters navigating in and around areas  of  fishing  vessel  traffic.  Directorate  General  of  Shipping  has  also  vide  letter dated 05.04.2025 requested Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala to ensure timely renewal of licences of and mandatory carriage of basic life-saving appliances by fishing boats, regular inspections to ensure adherence to safety protocols by fishing boats,  to  enforce  requirement  for  tracking,  locating  and  distress  communication devices on all seagoing fishing vessels, to establish more robust reporting protocols to ensure timely and accurate incident information, to implement a robust system for documenting  and  verifying  fishermen's  identities,  to  enforce  mandatory  insurance coverage for fishing vessels to guarantee compensation for victims. In the letter, DG Shipping  has  mentioned  that  these  will  greatly  enhance  maritime  safety,  improve search  &  rescue  operations,  ensure  proper  compensation  and  accountability  in maritime incidents.

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