Investigations leave boat skipper jobless

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Freddy, the skipper of ill-fated St Antony, is lucky to be alive, but with unpaid debts worth `22 lakh on his boat, life is a big question mark.

Freddy, 30, who saw two of mates on the vessel succumb to Italian bullets on February 15, is struggling to keep his family intact- mother, six siblings, wife and a four-month-old baby. With the boat in police custody, he is just about managing with loans from moneylenders.

But after having seen the cold-blooded murder of Jelestin and Ajeesh Pinku on board, Freddy does not want to use the boat again.

“ It’ll be traumatic for us to ride to sea on St Antony. I hope the authorities will provide us a new boat,’’ he said, adding his other mates on St Antony were also without jobs.

The entire responsibility of the family had fallen on Freddy after his father John Bosco died of heart attack two years ago.

He has to take educate his siblings. Mother Reethammal is worried for the family. But amid turbulence, Freddy’s wife, Little Flower, is a source of strength.

“I am sure the authorities will do whatever it takes to ensure exemplary punishment for the two marines, compensation for families of victims and rehabilitation of others including him,’’ he added.