The Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum on Thursday demanded the formation of a high-powered independent technical expert committee to examine the adequacy of fuel tanks, fire prevention and extinguishing systems of all types of inland vessels, including launches and oil tankers.
Besides, the organisation of Dhaka based media workers called to ensure proper survey (fitness test) of all water vessels to avoid any kind of accidents.
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SCRF President Ashis Kumar Dey and General Secretary Md Jahangir Alam made the call to the government in a statement on Thursday.
Two explosions and fires on oil tanker Sagarnandini-2 in Sugandha River in Jhalokathi, fire on passenger launch Mayur-7 on Buriganga in Dhaka, and cracked bottom part of passenger launch Farhan-3 in Meghna river near Tamuruddin ghat in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali have raised concerns about whether these vessels were fit for navigation.
Citing expert opinions published in the media at various times, SCRF said the concerned engineers and ship surveyors also give fitness certificates to many defective ships by doing surveys in a short time.
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Although the boats have certified masters and drivers, many of them have no necessary training and skills. Ship surveyors also avoid this important point during the survey, read the statement.
Due to these reasons, repeated accidents are happening on waterways, the statement added.