Inland Vessels Act looks at fibre glass as material for boat building

摘要

THE enforcement of Kerala Inland Vessels Act 2010 is likely to see a sea change in the composite boat building in coastal fishing and inland leisure sector, as the Act envisages FRP (fibre glass reinforced plastics) as a material for boat building. FRP is used world over as a substitute for wood and steel for building small to medium sized passenger vessels and work boats due to its better mechanical and weathering properties. The non-availability of jack wood and the recent increase in its prices has driven the prices of this traditional boat building timber to an unacceptable level from Rs 300 a cubic foot to over Rs 1,300 a cubic foot.