Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 17:  Due to the strong winds that swept through the coast on Sunday August 16 morning, three mechanized boats drowned at Kodibengre port near here, resulting in a loss of about Rs 1.5 lac for their owners.

Mechanized boats named 'Mahalaxmi Prasad' owned by Hoode Prabhakar Kunder, 'Mahashakti' owned by Kodibendre Narasimha Bangera and 'Durgambika' owned by Kodibengre Basava Kharvi were among the boats that ventured into the sea at Kodibengre port for fishing, at around 4 am on Sunday morning. Due to the sudden winds, one of the boats rolled over and fell on the other boat, which then tilted and rolled on the third boat. The fishermen on these boats jumped into the water and saved themselves from any danger.

The fishermen complained that this accident occurred because of the accumulation of silt in the port since the last nine years, the time the port was opened. Because of the gales, the water level dips and surges alternatively, and when the water level goes down, the bottom of the boats get stuck in the sediment, get tilted and capsize. The fisheries department has failed to undertake dredging activity, although the fishermen have been facing innumerable problems because of the silt, said Boat Fishermens' Association president B B Kanchan.