Derelict boats near Thengapattanam and Thoothukudi pose growing environmental threat

The Hindu

22-06-2025

Damaged and abandoned mechanised and country boats docked near Thengapattanam harbour as well as fishing vessels lying idle in the old harbour in Thoothukudi for the past few years pose a significant risk to marine pollution and other environmental degradation.
For the past few weeks, there has been a colossal amount of reports highlighting debris washing ashore away shipwrecks, microplastic contamination and other marine pollution issues. While plastic bottles, food wrappers, plastic bags and other plastic materials commonly cited as marine debris, experts argue that the problem extends far beyond household wastes, especially when it comes to discarded and derelict boats.
Underlining this concern, activists have called for the immediate action to remove these derelict vessels to prevent further ecological harm. They say that most of these vessels are deteriorating and at risk of sinking, yet no stringent measures have been implemented by authorities to remove or manage them.
Thengapattanam harbour houses around 700 mechanised boats and 3,000 country boats. Most of these boats are being regularly berthed along the Thamirabarani river, where the harbour extends inland. Fishermen also prefer to dock their boats in the river, as they are less prone to damages due to ocean currents and strong winds.
However, numerous boats docked here are abandoned, raising serious environmental concerns. Sagar from Erayumanthurai highlighted that the issue has been persisting for years and no actions have been taken so far. He added that the numbers of derelict vessels in the region are expected to increase in the future due to lack of clear policies or enforcement.
'I submitted a petition at the fishermen's grievance redressal meeting a few months ago, but no departments have come forward to take any action,' he mentioned.
Similarly, in Thoothukudi a mechanised boat in an old harbour and several country boats near the fishing harbour abandoned continue to pose environmental risks.
According to the article published by Central Marine Fisheries research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi in 2017 discussed the plastic reinforced fiberglass which is an addition to beach litter. Fibre glass crafts are coated with glass fibres reinforced with plastic matrix most often Epoxy Polyester Resin or Vinyl Ester through thermosetting. The article noted that the plastic reinforced fiberglass is considered human carcinogen if inhaled. If not properly disposed of, these materials can reach levels above 5-15 megagram per cubic metre and become hazardous causing irritation to eyes, skin, nose etc,. It warns that from the beach these tiny particles from the glass fibre coated with plastic resin can also enter marine food webs which is undesirable.
Justin Antony, president of INFIDET, highlighted another major problem, which is the oil spill created by these boats.
'Most of the boats would be docked with fuel in them. As they stated, immersing into the water might cause oil spill in the region,' he noted. He also mentioned that these abandoned boats are becoming a shelter for anti-social elements, which is to be curbed immediately.
Regarding the salvaging operations, an official from the Kanniyakumari fisheries department said that the directions have already been made for the fishermen. With the current fishing ban period in effect, harbour management committee are reviewing possible actions, as the salvaging operation would require a significant financial commitment.