Vasco: If not for the Indian Coast guard sleuths, lives of nearly 24 tourists on board MV Nerul Paradise would have been compromised on Monday. Timely intervention of Indian Coast Guard resulted in the rescue of 24 tourists and two crew members who were stranded mid-sea, helpless and in distress.
The incident has once against brought to life the inefficiency of two departments — Captain of Ports and Coastal Security police — who would have allowed this boat, operating without permission to carry the business.
Tourists who arrive in Goa always search for adventure without knowing that the boat which they are boarding is unsafe and without any valid permissions. Any bad incident would have extensively damaged the tourism industry in the state.
While common anger after such incidents is towards the tourism department, the role of Captain of Port and Police is always ignored. Both the departments will now to have to ensure that no boats venture in water without valid permission.
The responsibility has also to be fixed on the Coastal Security police officer who was patrolling the area and did not notice this boat.
The mechanism should be in place to take action against these illegally operating boats who have been risking the lives of tourists.
