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With increase in number of maritime calamities, wreck and salvage operations have become a regular activity in India. In an interview with V Ayyappanof ETSL, Capt Sandeep Kalia, executive director of GOL Salvage Services, the Great Offshore arm that has been engaged in many such operations, sheds light on the issue of safety and security which is no more limited to the country's maritime space.
Indian waters is witnessing large number of marine calamities, especially on the western front. What is your take on the reasons?
The sea is perhaps the most difficult and vital environment in which man works. The natural perils of ocean transportation , the inherent potential for human element and other factors mean that the total eradication of shipping accidents is an impossibility. While serious accidents are now far fewer in number, shipping casualties continue to occur.
Lack of coordination between various agencies / authorities , compliance with national & international rules, improper communication and signals, complacency, attitudinal & behavioral changes have all contributed to increase in the causalities and the severance .
This does not mean that Maritime causalities do not occur on the East coast or elsewhere. The problem is that incidents occurring in the East coast are not effectively highlighted or communicated or projected by the media.
While the maritime technology has changed beyond recognition between 1912 and 2012, the human factors and the executive factors have not. This is a reflection of the largely physical nature of seafaring, as it existed before the dawn of industrialization . As human innovativeness has steadily found its way into shipping, skills required has evolved from being purely physical to being increasingly intellectual in nature.
Accidents do occur and will continue to occur. They happen for the same underlying human reasons, despite the technological advancement in the last century and despite all safety regulations and precautions.
It is even more remarkable to note that the accident investigations and the reactions to accidents more or less are the same now as they were 100 years ago. Another reason for underestimating risks may be over reliance on new technology . The industry only reacts to regulations when incidents and accidents occur, with minimum compliance attitude. There is next to none pro-activeness witnessed .
P & I Clubs have been found shirking from responsibility in cases associated with many ship wrecks and mishaps in the country. How could they manage to escape so easily?
One of the key challenges is the way in which the various national and international regulatory frameworks and environmental considerations come to bear on salvage and wreck removal.
As per relevant portions of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and in the Indian Ports Act, 1908, ship owners are legally liable to remove the wreck only within the territorial waters, if the wreck is a hazard in a shipping lane or close to a navigation channel. Though Sections 10, 11, 12 and 14 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 would be relevant while discussing maritime wrecks, the area of applicability of relevant sections is limited to the 'Port' or 'Limits of the Port' , hence, the said Act cannot be effectively used to deal with wrecks beyond the port limits.
Recent events have however shown that the most of the wrecks actually exist or shipping casualties occur, within the maritime zones of India outside the limits of the ports, an area wherein the provisions of the Indian Merchant Shipping or Ports Act, are not applicable.
Due to absence of binding legislation, owners and their clubs are not obliged to remove these wrecks.
With over 450 abandoned ship wrecks lying across Indian ocean /coastal bed, can we ever have a safer ocean and safer shipping, as mandated by IMO? Do you have any practical and cost effective way to suggest to manage such a gigantic problem?
There are more than 450* abandoned wrecks along the coast. A high proportion of the wrecks are in poor condition and pose an immediate threat to our ecological systems.
India has acceded The Wreck Removal Convention, which was adopted in May 2007, extends the powers of coastal states to take action to remove wrecks posing hazards in the Exclusive Economic Zone, it will come into force only one year after 10 IMO member states have ratified it. Till then we have no control over the wreck which are abandoned in our waters. So far a total of 6 member states have ratified it.
The delay in decision making / finalization of a salvage contract and finally responding to an emergency situation by the Ship owners, authorities, administration individually or collectively, turns the salvageable scenario into a wreck. Time is of essence & every second counts.
Concern is also expressed on adequate funding methods that are not in place to cover an effective salvage response. The response to any maritime causality would involve many government agencies and organizations at the central, state and local levels. The oil or the wrecks, if it is to be removed, needs to be funded by local governments. A number of funding options could be explored, including expansion of existing systems or development of new ones patterned after successful funding mechanisms that needs to be in place.
Does Indian government encourage the Indian players?
It saddens me to submit that so far there has not been enough efforts, encouragement or reforms by the GoI to promote or support Indian players. Lack of recognition of national competence is purely driven by ignorance . This has to change.
There is an imperative need to reform our cabotage law and promote capacity building. The maritime administration needs to set out exemplary standards to promote Indian Salvors, by safeguarding their interests. There is enough talent & capacity in the country to be self sufficient!!
The age old mantra to fall back on already tried out & tested companies of international repute, even at exorbitant cost & time delays is still being practiced , thereby depriving the aspiring companies of equivalent potential from within the country . There is no dearth of talent, skills and professionalism in Indian Nationals.
Having said that, the current team headed by the shipping minister, shipping secretary & the director general of shipping looks promising.
Reportedly, India witnessed over 81 oil spills in the last 30 years. What are the impediments you find that make the country not yet ready for oil spills? Based on your experience , what India requires now to maintain adequate readiness?
India's long shoreline is at risk of a serious ecological disaster from such accidents & resulting oil spills. The structural changes in the Indian oil sector and the advent of NELP has led to large increase in oil exploration and exploitation of Indian seas.
There is a persistent threat to Indian waters particularly on the west coast which may create manmade oil spills. Any such activity may create a catastrophic situation.
With the increase in shipping causalities, the Indian law regarding salvage & wreck requires a through revamp. The need for a comprehensive response system has been flashed in various forums by agencies, authorities and the government.
There is an imperative need for an "association or body" in India which deals with all relevant aspects of oil spills, including , need for review of different existing legislation and the need for training and re-training. How well we resolve these issues in coming years could, very well, determine just how productive the maritime industry is for the generations of tomorrow.
How much is your company different from other international players and what is the edge that keeps it ahead?
GOL Salvage has access to a gamut of offshore assets. "GOSalvage" is fortunate to have inherited a very experienced team from the GOL Offshore group. Where we have reached today is due to excellent and endless efforts of the team ashore and offshore .
We are also benefited from our team's understanding of local topographical conditions vide our extensive operations. It is an edge which no other national or international agency can claim.
Post can be found at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/indias-long-shoreline-is-at-risk-of-serious-ecological-disaster/articleshow/22062216.cms
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