With no relief forthcoming from the state government, the Mormugao Port Trust as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provided emergency succour to the fishermen who took refuge at the Vasco Bay. The relief came two days later as some fishermen fell short of food, drinking water, fuel medical aid etc. while the others sought help for vessel repairs. With the onset of cruise tourism season, Mormugao Port, these days remains all decked up to host large groups of high end tourists from all over world who visit Goa on large luxury cruise ships. However, the winds of change, literally speaking, brought about a large contingent of guests of different kind to the port. Over 300 fishing boats and trawlers carrying nearly three thousand fishermen from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat are currently taking shelter at Mormugao Port, a MPT spokesperson said. He said, Not to be found wanting in this hour of crisis, Mormugao Port has risen to the occasion voluntarily and provided refuge to the fishing vessels inside the Vasco Bay. Currently, an Emergency Task Force of senior port executives are camping at the site and rendering all possible help to the fishermen. Arrangements have been made to provide clean drinking water, food, refreshments, medicines, all other essential commodities that may be required to overcome the hardship caused to the fishermen. Besides the Port Emergency Task Force, a para-medical team headed by two Medical Officers of the MPT Hospital is present at the site rendering all medical assistance and medicines to the affected fishermen. A port ambulance is on standby to render help in any medical emergency. So far 40 fishermen have been given treatment for minor ailments. The Harbour Master of the Port is providing regular weather updates and it is expected that some of the fishing vessels would sail out by tomorrow evening, he informed. Our boat needs urgent repairs as engine has developed some problems but we are not allowed to come to the shore. Our food supply got over on Sunday and since then we have been begging for food from other fishermen who are stranded along with us here in Goa. Today, when we asked for help someone from MPT came and gave us Vada Pao’ for lunch. We don’t know what to do and where to go, said Vishal Somnath, a fisherman from Gujarat. Like Vishal, there were few other fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala who had come down to Khariwado jetty using small canoes and were seen asking for help. Some were seen complaining of loss of nets due to cyclone, while others were asking for monetary help. As far as state administration is concerned, instead of coming prepared to provide all sorts of help to the stranded fishermen, the officials were seen collecting all sort of data from the locals and stranded fishermen and if MPT had not come forward to offer help then the situation here would have been horrible. This shows how well the state administration is prepared in handling such emergency, said a local fisherman from Khariwado. The local fishermen as well as some concerned citizens from Vasco especially one P C Prasad and his colleagues from Kerala Cultural Association camped at Khariwado jetty since morning to provide assistance and help to the stranded fishermen. Mormugao Mamlatdar Satish Prabhu along with Joint Mamlatdar also visited the site and noted down requirements needed by the crew members.