KOTTAYAM: A family from Tamil Nadu on a house boat cruise in Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha district had a lucky escape after the boat capsized on Monday.
The boat was operating illegally since 2018, said Port department officials. Since the family did not give any Police complaint, no case have been registered by the Police till Monday night.
The accident was around 2.30pm in the middle of the Rani kayal within Pulincunnu Police station limits. The single bedroom houseboat named ‘Eastern Safhy’ had anchored for the three member family to have lunch. It was Muthukrishnan, wife Deepika and daughter Shanti who were on the boat. The family hails from Srirangam near Tiruchirappally.
The stability of the boat is suspected to have been lost after its basement hit against sand dunes or tree stumps. Fortunately few speed boats were operating in the region and they rushed to save the tourists. All three were rescued and were dropped at the Kannitta boat jetty. Shocked by the accident, the family decided to wind up their tour and leave for native. None of them sustained any injuries.
According to tourism Police, the boat was owned by Chandy Philip who had given the boat for lease to Alappuzha native Anaz. There were three staff in the boat at the time of the accident. Pulincunnu SHO said that no case has been registered so far since the tourists did not file any complaint. "They did not even report the accident," said the officer.
Meanwhile, the Port officials said that the registration of the boat had expired a long time back. The boat had been registered in 2013. The boat was issued a survey certificate in 2015. Though the boat was produced for a survey certificate in 2018, the certificate was not issued. The boat has been operating illegally since then.
According to Port officials, the house boat had evaded the recent inspections following the Tanur accident. The shortage of staff to ensure the strict implementation of the inland vessel rules of the Kerala Maritime Board is also seriously affecting the inspections
