Foreign vessel Solis linked to fishing boat collision likely to be shifted from Vizhinjam ahead of monsoon

Thiruvananthapuram: Authorities said the foreign vessel Solis, anchored off Vizhinjam, which was involved in a collision with a fishing boat that led to a sinking incident, is likely to be moved to either Kollam or Kochi before the onset of the monsoon season. Officials cited the possibility of rough sea conditions and underwater turbulence off Vizhinjam coast during the monsoon as the primary reason for the proposed relocation.The move comes following directions from Directorate General of Shipping. Authorities concerned are currently holding discussions with officials at Kollam port regarding the transfer of the vessel. According to sources, the ship will be moved from Vizhinjam as soon as the required permission is obtained from the Kollam port authorities. The arrival and continued anchoring of the Panama-flagged vessel have reportedly generated nearly Rs 25 lakh in revenue through rental and related charges. Bunkering operations for the vessel were also carried out two days ago. Solis reached the Vizhinjam sea area on March 9 following an order issued by Kochi Mercantile Marine Department directing that the ship should not leave port limits until further instructions. The order was issued as part of the investigation into the maritime accident that occurred on March 7 near Kanyakumari. In the incident, the fishing boat St Joseph, owned by a Kollam native, sank after allegedly being hit by the vessel. Of the 11 people on board the boat, Lakhan Das, 45, from Kolkata and his son Badal, 23, went missing. Nine others, including fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kolkata, survived the accident with injuries. Maritime authorities are continuing the probe into the collision, while search operations for the missing fishermen were earlier carried out by Coast Guard and other agencies.