<b>This is not posted for Strategic information but for Mirth and Hilarity!</b>
<b>KPT dredger out of order once again</b> <!--emo&:flush--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Flush.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='Flush.gif' /><!--endemo-->
KARACHI : A dredger, âAbulâ, which was acquired by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) from a Dutch company at a cost of 57 million euros at the end of 2006, has once again gone out of order.
<b>Previously, the dredger met with two accidents which occurred due to negligence and untrained staff.</b> This is the third time the dredger has been out of order since its deployment on January 2 this year and is currently standing at the shipyard for repairs, an official said.
It was learnt that the dredger Abul was operating at the outer anchorage of the channel when suddenly a problem occurred in its port engine (left engine), which could not be rectified in the water and had to be taken to the shipyard.
The local engineer tried to repair the engine but failed to do so. Thus the KPT had to call an engineer from the Dutch company. The official added that the Dutch engineer repaired the dredger, but the same problem occurred again the next day and the dredger is once again out of order, stranded at the shipyard.
The official said that there is also a shortage of spare parts of the dredger. At the time of purchase, sufficient quantities of spare parts were not acquired and if any problem occurs the port has to import spare parts from the Dutch company.
<b>He added that the previous chairman during a visit to Holland changed the contract for the supply of spare parts from five years to three years, and asked the company to add a conference hall in the dredger, which is not a compulsory requirement for it.</b>
The official said that despite buying such an expensive dredger, basic requirements have been neglected. It is important to mention here that previously the same dredger had two accidents.
One mishap occurred on 10th Nov, 2008, <b>*when it collided with buoy No P-3,*</b> and its light was broken, resulting in the leakage of port dredge arm hydraulic system/pipes, thereby causing massive loss of hydraulic oil. The vessel could not go for dredging for two days.
Another incident occurred on Feb 20 last year. While coming alongside to berth, <b>**the dredger banged with the wharf**, causing indentation to the hull on the Starboard side measuring about 10 square meters</b> along with colliding with the fishing boat Starboard railing, causing shipside damage.
<b>Lack of knowledge and being unfamiliar with the valves resulted in flooding of the pump room, thereby causing massive damage, costing KPT million of rupees. It was under repair for six weeks.</b>
In the two incidents earlier, KPT said that these sorts of incidents are of routine nature, which can occur anytime with any of the crafts.
This is the third time that the new dredger is out of order and the reason is unknown, whether it is a manufacturing fault or the negligence of the KPT authority. In previous incidents no warranty claims have been lodged. <b>Warranty period of this dredger expired on 22nd Nov 2008. KPT when contacted was reluctant to comment on the issue.</b>
<b>Comments :</b> One is Surprised at the âLack of Knowledge, Technical Skills and Experienceâ in the Land of the Pure which builds Nuclear Bum, Phiter & Bumer Aircraft, Submarines, Al Khalid Tanks, Mijiles Galore etc. etc. but cannot have the right âCrewâ to operate a Simple Dredger.
<b>* :</b> "Boy Banging" is understand able as it is a "Phavorrite Pakistani Pastime.
<b>** :</b> "Banging of whaf" must have been due to lack of "Boy".
Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->