Indian sailor involved in boat hit-and-run flees to Sri Lanka

A sailor on board MV Prabhu Daya, suspected to have been involved in the March 1 hit-and-run sea mishap off Kerala coast that left three fishermen dead, was on Thursday arrested by Kerala Police officials probing the case.

Speaking to IANS, K. Mahesh Kumar, deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said: “We have arrested one sailor who is from Gujarat. We will be taking him to Kochi.”

A co-accused second officer, Prasobh Sugathan, is in Sri Lanka. “It will take time to bring him here. The role of the captain has to be ascertained.”Sugathan allegedly jumped off the ship on March 3 and was rescued by a Sri Lankan fishing boat the next day. He was treated at a Sri Lankan naval hospital and later transferred to Trincomalee government hospital, where he is now “recuperating.”

Sugathan’s father K.E. Sugathan told IANS in Thiruvananthapuram Wednesday that his son was hit and thrown into the sea and did not attempt suicide. Queried about the father’s allegation, police official said: “We are not taking that into account now. The father has to tell that in court.”

The 2001 built bulk carrier M.V. Prabhu Daya belonging to Tolani Shipping and sailing under Singapore flag is alleged to have rammed into fishing boat Don-1, with seven fishermen on board, March 1 in which three of the occupants were killed.

The accident happened off Manakodam light house, 20 nautical miles off the Kochi harbour entrance. The ship was enroute to Singapore from Panaji.

Don-1 had left Kollam for deep sea fishing with seven fishermen on board Feb 26.Indian shipping authorities suspected the M.V. Prabhu Daya as it did not respond to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre out of the eight ships that were near the accident area.

According to Kumar, the process to move the cargo vessel to Kochi will be started by writing to directorate general of shipping.On Wednesday, he told IANS that the Kerala Police took the ship into custody and charged three crew members as the accused.

Heeding the directions of Indian authorities earlier, M.V. Prabhu Daya which was near Sri Lanka came to Indian waters and was anchored at the outer anchorage of Chennai Port March 5.

A team of officials from Kerala police, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard began their probe by inspecting the ship, checking the navigational data and interrogating the crew. - IANS