VPA salvages fire-damaged boats

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) on Thursday completed the salvage of boats damaged due to a major fire accident that occurred at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on November 19.

The operation took 10 days and cost VPA around Rs 50 lakh. In the fire accident, nearly 30 fishing boats were fully burnt/damaged/gutted, and around 18 fishing boats were partially damaged.

The wrecks of the fishing boats got inundated in the seawater. VPA immediately took action duly deploying heavy duty cranes of 150 MT tonnes in salvaging the sunken boats.

Removal of boats was monitored with expertise in the salvage field engaging undersea divers, cutting the wreck and lifting from the waters preventing any pilferage or mishaps in coordination with the State Fisheries Department in the presence of Fishing Boat Operators Association, State Police and VPA.