Parliament Question: Collision of Fishing Boats with Merchant Ship

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: प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी (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 vesselPrathyasha, 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 07th 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. *****