As an accident, the collision between two cargo ships just outside Kamarajar Port, Ennore, near Chennai, was a relatively minor one, almost inconsequential. As it began unfolding slowly, however, this perception changed. From a minor event, it has now become a disaster, one with significant future ecological impact.
An accident is just that, an accident. What is more important is analysing its aftermath to find the lacunae and prepare a response protocol. Let’s start with the accident itself. This paper reported how a mandatory protocol of having a pilot from the local port to guide the vessel to enter and exit from the port was violated by BW Maple. The pilot disembarked before the designated place, and soon afterwards, the ship collided with MT Dawn Kancheepuram.
This was the beginning of a series of missteps. What is worrying is the lack of a contingency plan to face such an eventuality. The seriousness of the matter is evident from the minutes of various meetings where this was stressed. All major ports were asked to prepare a plan for themselves, while the State Maritime Board was asked to put together a comprehensive plan for all the ports.
But this seems to have been given a go by. For one, it took nearly three hours to inform the Indian Coast Guard, the national nodal agency to deal with oil spills. Precious hours were thus lost. And it took more time for the officials involved to realise that their equipment is not suitable for clean-up operations near the shore.
In the end, the ‘equipment’ used comprised mugs and buckets, rubber gloves and gumboots. As primitive as it can get.
Then there’s the question about the safety of enthusiastic volunteers. While the sight of dozens flocking the beach to help is heartening, that should not mask the shortcomings of the designated agencies. It is imperative that the basic safety and response protocol to such events is made non-negotiable.