Pappy is really a bad corporation joke

KOCHI: The converted barge Pappy proved its true ‘fitness’ again when it broke down on Tuesday morning following a problem with the head of the engine that facilitates air and fuel injection. According to sources, Pappy will be out of service for the next two to three days.
The barge, which was converted into ferry by the Kochi corporation and certified by the ports department earlier this month, has repeatedly broken down and required repairs, inconveniencing over 2,000 passengers who take the service between Vypeen and Fort Kochi.
“Every vessel is made to certain specifications and taking into consideration the waterways that it may be required to operate. Cargo vessels are not required to make trips for 14-15 continuous hours. To operate in these waters, the barge requires various structural and technical changes, proper air vents and such. Otherwise, these breakdowns and repairs will continue,” said Shivaprasad K, head of the department of ship technology, Cusat.
According to ports department sources, Pappy is using an engine that’s around 15 to 20 years old, recycled from an old bus or truck. An underwater survey of the vessel to check if it had a vertical keel (eravu) at the base was also not carried out.
“The lack of vertical keel results in huge tension on steering and rudder controls during mooring and turning. Passenger vessels that have to turn 360 degrees and more at jetties require this keel for smooth movement of water below the vessel and ease in propulsion. But cargo vessels do not have such a keel,” sources said.
As per Act IV of the Inland Vessels Act of 2010, newly-registered vessels require new engines. Pappy was given fresh registration and licensing by the ports department in violation of this Act. In its present condition, questions are being raised whether the vessel is actually in fit and seaworthy.
Chief surveyor of the ports department Ajayan P K, who granted the fresh licence and fitness certificates for the vessel, stated that such issues could have been avoided if his recommendations had been carried out.
“I had recommended an additional engine and rudder to facilitate the smooth running of the vessel, if one engine fails, the other would continue to run. But corporation officials said they didn’t have time for such major changes. But these are minor problems that could happen to any vessel. It doesn’t mean that Pappy is not fit for service,” he said.