Problems of Ctg port outer anchorage

A report, published on the back page of a local English daily on February 15 about the lighter vessel operation at Chittagong Outer Anchorage, suggests that here too is an area of corruption and connivance, between the lighter vessel operators and the authorities responsible for operational fitness and certification of these vessels. The report states that the nexus is responsible for the great number of maritime accidents involving lighter vessels. In the last fourteen months, at least, 25 lighter vessels met with accidents, involving sinking and loss of cargo and lives of the crew of these vessels. The director general of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) opined that the master and the bridge crew of the lighter vessels do not have the mandatory Bay Crossing Certificate (BCC) needed for lightering operation, whereas, the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) issues them No-Objection Certificates. In response, MMD states that they issue the certificates only to sea going ships, and not to inland bay crossing vessels, which are, usually between 700 to 1500 gross tonnage and do not come under its purview. Is it that the IWTA is responsible for issuing the BCC needed by the lighter vessels? The writer of the report did not state anything on this important and crucial matter and is therefore incomplete. It also seems that the retired Admiral, the Director General of BSC, is also not aware of this important matter, as his views on MMD are contradicted by MMD. The DG Shipping must know all the rules and regulations involved in lighter vessel operation, and as indicated by the report, he appears to be technically not qualified for the important position he is holding, related to Chittagong Port operation, and lighter vessels' safety issues. Is it ignorance or neglect or corruption that is responsible for this state of affairs in the cargo operation of Chittagong Port? Who is responsible for this flouting of mandatory rules (of having BCC) by the lighter vessels? Is it all left on good faith to the private owners of the lighter vessels, who will cut corners to maximise profits? Will it need another order from the Judges of our High Court to ensure that the bureaucrats involved in this very important part of the port operation get this matter sorted out to carry out their responsibilities? Engr SA Mansoor Dhaka