Shipwreck off Kochi coast: Shipping officer to meet govt agencies, insurer to streamline claims

Kochi: The nodal officer appointed by the directorate general of shipping (DGS) will meet with state govt agencies and officials of the insurer to streamline the claims arising out of the sinking of the vessel MSC ELSA-3 vessel off the coast of Kochi.The meeting will also involve a representative of the insurer from the UK who is expected to arrive on Monday.DGS sources said that those affected, including the fisherfolk, need not worry as their grievances would be addressed. "Since it would be challenging for the fisherfolk to come forward with claims themselves, the state govt will take the lead role in coordinating with them as they will have the actual data. Whatever grievances they have will be addressed. The insurance company would try to take care of losses, including the loss of their livelihood," said deputy nautical adviser Capt Anish Joseph, the nodal officer appointed for the purpose. An SOP would soon be formed to deal with the compensation claims arising from the sinking.Sources also said that the insurance companies involved are reputable and are part of the international group of the protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs. "On Monday, one of their officials from London, along with a few other officials from India, will be arriving to meet the govt agencies to facilitate the claim process along with the nodal officer," said sources.The nodal officer will be travelling to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kanyakumari to meet with govt officials. Sources said that setting up district-wise cells to facilitate the process was also under consideration. Sources added that the first part will be the submission of the claims, then there will be scrutiny from the insurance side, after which the payout is likely to happen. "We want only fisherfolk to come forward, which is why the state govt is to take the lead," said a source adding that bogus claims can derail or delay the process.The govt will also be making claims for compensation since response measures are being undertaken by Coast Guard as well as the state govt. Sources added that salvage operations are also underway, and as per the water sampling tests so far, the water levels were not at a level that causes concern, said sources.Meanwhile, a special National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) meeting chaired by director general of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Paramesh Sivamani was conducted on Friday to review the pollution response action plan post the sinking of the vessel. Stakeholders from multiple govt agencies collaborated to discuss response efforts, ensuring a unified approach to protect the sensitive ecosystems of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu's coastline and safeguard the livelihoods of fisherfolk affected by the incident, ICG said in a post on X.