Customs to examine island admin’s role in yacht’s visit

KOCHI: Customs department would interview officials of the Lakshadweep administration in connection with the seizure of a cruise yacht for violations in the Customs waters.
According to an official communique of the Customs department, the vessel SY Sea Dreams had called on places other than Customs port namely Bangaram, Kalpeni, Agatti, Kadamat, Amini and Kavaratti islands of Lakshadweep, which are not notified Customs ports and violated Section 29 of the Customs Act and became liable for confiscation.

Customs commissioner Sumit Kumar said that the yacht coming to the Customs notified port in Kochi was legal but visiting the islands without permission was not. “They applied for permission to Lakshadweep administration to visit the islands and the administration directed them to approach Customs and copied it to us. However, the owner never approached us but went to Lakshadweep anyway. We will also be inquiring with the administration officials on how they managed to visit all these islands without permission,” said Kumar.
Thomas Reichert, the Swiss national who owns the ship, has returned to Switzerland and would only return in March. TOI on Thursday carried an exclusive report on the customs seizing the yacht from Cochin International Marina, Bolgatty.
As per Section 29 of the Customs Act, the person in-charge of a vessel entering India from any place outside India shall not permit the vessel to call on at any place other than a Customs port.
The yacht initially reached the port of Cochin on February 23, 2018 and anchored in Marina on February 26 and stayed till November 13, 2018. It departed to Lakshadweep Islands on November 13 and returned to Marina on January 12, 2018.
Customs sources said that the officials who conducted the seizure did not board the yacht. “The officers did not board the yacht which was berthed in the Marina as the doors of the yacht were locked. The seized yacht was handed over to the safe custody of the Marina authority,” Customs sources said.
“In owner’s absence, the purpose and reasons of the visit of the yacht to the Lakshadweep islands could not be ascertained,” said Customs.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer with the Lakshadweep administration said that it was not possible for a vessel to come to the islands without permission and denied knowledge of the yacht coming to the islands.