Follow shipping rules
The ship accident in Chittagong port channel put the vital life line in jeopardy. Though Bangladesh boasts of two seaports, practically Chittagong carries the maximum load. Lighterage ships are essential part of our transportation system as bulk of our imports are unloaded in this process. But unsafe lighter ships often create serious hazards.
This problem can be solved by following a simple existing rule properly. As per the rule, no ship can go to sea without a 'bay crossing' permission. Such permissions are given by shipping authorities after a rigorous test by experts. They test not only the fitness of the ship, rather quality of crew members as well. So far only a few scores of ships have obtained such permission.
In view of present climatic condition, the government should implement this rule rigidly to avoid any further loss of life and property. Merely imposing fine against defaulting vessels will fail to curb such incidents, rather such vessels should be debarred from loading in the high seas. The Water Transport Coordination Cell (WTCC) should not give delivery order to ligherage ships without the bay crossing permission.
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