Mangalore: A Year After - 'Den Den' Still Sinking !
by Melka Miyar
Daijiworld Media Network — Mangalore
Mangalore, June 23: It was exactly a year ago that the grounded Eritrean ship ‘Den Den’ sank off the shores of Tannirbavi beach. On that fateful day, the entire state was lashed by heavy rain and strong gales.
The doomed ship had reached here on June 22, 2007, and was found to have technical failure. The ship’s captain Abraham Kwaw refused assistance from New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) authorities and expressed confidence that they would be able to get the vessel running again soon.
However, by the next day he was proved wrong and the high tide began pulling the ship towards the beach. The ship started sinking and three members of the crew lost their lives while attempting to reach ashore, despite the rescue efforts by the locals. The helping hand lent by the people did not go unnoticed and came in for global appreciation even as the Coast Guard faced flak for their lethargic actions.
File Picture
The 21 crew members of the ‘Den Den’ who managed to make it to shore had to spend almost three months in isolation in city hotels. This was because they had lost their travel documents while abandoning ship and
also due a delay in bureaucratic processes between the Indian and Eritrean governments. The Eritrean government delayed in owning up responsibility for the ship and the crew had to face a jail-like situation due to the police security assigned to them.
On the other hand, the sinking of the ship created panic among local fishermen as the vessel was carrying furnace oil. Any leakage of the oil would have posed great danger to the sea life in the Arabian Sea. About 80 tonnes of furnace oil and 25 tonnes of diesel were pumped out to another vessel in November, 2007. But the sunken vessel is still visible from Tannirbavi beach and has become an attraction of sorts. Visitors who come here look curiously at the ‘Den Den’ lying in its watery grave.
The fishermen community has protested against the breaking of this ship in the area owing to environmental concerns. If the ship is broken at Tannirbavi sea shore, there is likelihood of major ecological imbalance, claim the fisherfolk. Also, it is the owner of the ship who has to bear the cost of the salvage operation. Since this is an expensive proposition, the ‘Den Den’ is likely to stay in its current location as are three other ships that sank in the area.
From Daijiworld Archives:
Watch exclusive video clips of Den Den tragedy...
Camera work: Austin Pinto
Co-ordination: Gladson D'Almeida
Editing: Utham Kanyoor
Asst: Keshav
a tv daijiworld presentation....
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