TANUR: Nasser, the owner of the 'Atlantic' boat is not the only one responsible for the catastrophe that took the lives of 22 individuals, including 15 children, at Thooval Theeram Beach. Those who authorised the use of an old fishing boat for tourism purposes are also responsible for the tragedy. Sources said that officials, police and politicians connived for him.

The 'Atlantic' was a fishing boat which was more than 10 years old. It was later modified in an illegal yard in Ponnani. The boat, bought for a small amount, was converted into a double-decker pleasure boat named 'Atlantic' only a month ago.

Such modification is not generally allowed. No license will be obtained for such modified boats. To avoid sudden capsizing, the tourist boat's bottom will be flat. However, the bottom of the 'Atlantic' was round. The boat is barely two meters wide at the bottom. A two-storied structure with a width of seven meters is mounted on top of it. The boat will tilt to one side when five people get on it. There are small glass windows on both sides. The people trapped in the overturned boat were pulled out after cutting and removing all these.

The boat appears to have gotten a fitness certificate from the Alappuzha Port Chief Surveyor despite being built outside all regulations. All information, including the plan, should be included when offering fitness. It's not apparent how the boat received a licence, though. On the boat, the licence number was scrawled in a confusing manner. The boat doesn't have a licence, thus it turns out that this was a fraud.

While the service of pleasure boats requires permission from the Ports Department, the Inland Water Transport Department and the DTPC, the 'Atlantic' did not have any of these. The boat began service before its registration process was completed. Fishermen say that after seeing the structure of the boat, they had warned not to use it for tourism.

Tanur native Nassar, the boat owner, has been in the UAE for a long time. His job is delivering workers to various companies on a commission basis. He is in high financial condition. He has no previous experience in tourist boat-related field.

Old fishing boats can be purchased for around Rs.10 lakhs. New boats will cost Rs 50 lakhs- 1 crore. By doing repair work from illegal yards, the old fishing boats can be converted into tourist boats at a minimal cost. The 'Atlantic' is about 30 feet long. The seat is made of narrow planks to carry more people.