Mishap or manslaughter?

Again, it is the same old story of overloading and ignoring weather conditions that were responsible, as initial reports suggest, for the sinking of MV Raipura. There are standard safety procedures that launch operators are supposed to follow, but they committed the same crime of overloading, despite knowing full well that launches remain particularly vulnerable during the season of nor'westers.

Now the question is, do we have weather forecasting and signalling mechanisms capable of issuing warnings to launch terminals at a frequency required in highly mercurial weather conditions? Are special weather bulletins, as distinguished from the routine ones, aired when the weather is taking a dangerous turn? Is there any relay system that would ensure that the targeted listeners receive the messages in time for action? Finally, is there any supervisory body to oversee that navigational rules are complied with?

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The authorities concerned claim that warning signals are often ignored by launch operators. If that be true, they should be charged with manslaughter. Unfortunately, we don't have knowledge of even the licence of a launch owner having been cancelled for flouting weather rules.

We believe if the owners are forced to pay adequate compensation to the victims' families, consistent with the size and gravity of the disaster, then and then only the right sense will be dinned into their ears to adhere to safety standards and avert accidents.