Vessel taken into custody; Malayalee sailor among accused

Wednesday, March 07, 2012: The police on Wednesday took into custody the Singapore-flagged vessel MV Prabhu Daya, which had hit a fishing boat on March 1 off the Kerala coast, killing three fishermen.
A case would be registered against Sugathan, a malayalee second officer, who was charge of the merchant vessel at the time of the accident. Sugathan, would be made first accused in the case.
Preliminary probe by officials on Tuesday ‘confirmed’ that the ship Daya had hit the boat on March 1. As for physical proof, the team of officials found some ‘marks’ on the port side (left side of the ship) and its rear confirming that it had hit a boat, official sources said.
Officials, who inspected the vessel now anchored off Chennai port, checked the charts, its electronic navigation systems and recorded statements of the captain, helmsman (one who steers the ship) and the crew, they said.