Aug 31, 2011

Restrictions on entry of old ships on Indian waters

Mint magazine published an article on the proposal of Indian government to impose restrictions on entry of ships that are older than 25 years into Indian waters due to recent accident.
Regulations are lessons learned from incidents. I thought it is useful to post this article so that history can be remembered. Many times, production managers question the feasibility/utility of rules and regulations without knowing the reason for such issues. Though, they are statutory, but this questioning attitude and not implementing the rules lead to hazardous conditions and endanger the persons and environment. These questioning type are arrogant, no regard for safety and blind by their egos. They do not realize that law of the land is supreme and one has to follow it. People make fun of rules saying that it is not practicable. Threaten them to put behind bars for non-compliance, overnight, they show it how to implement.
Ships older than 25 years will be allowed when they meet certain criterion like, membership in international body, insurance for damage due to accident, registration of agent for foreign ships to deal with issues arising out of any incident. I feel that this move is good and protect waters from pollution which is seen due to oil spillages from damaged oil tankers, ships carrying hazardous goods, etc.