When contacted, State Minister for Shipping Quamrul Islam echoed Port Chairman AMM Shahadat Hossain, who downplayed the disruption as a 'rumour'. Quamrul Islam also does not see any problem in disconnecting the mobile phone lines which are a vital part of the alarm system.

He told The Daily Star last night that everything is fine and the collapse of the security alarm system is just a 'rumour'. The phone sets were disconnected after getting allegations of misuse, he said.

But according to sources, the disruption in the alarm system could bring serious dangers to local and foreign ships that might tarnish the image of the country's seaports. With the disruption of the alarm system, the crews of ships have become helpless and cannot even inform any responsible authority if they face any danger in the outer anchorage or in the sea.

Ships are not being able to get information about the security situation in Bangladesh ports before calling in.

Although the three mobile phone sets are vital for keeping the security alarm system active, the government disconnected the phone lines alleging misuse of ISD phone lines without realising the essentiality of those, sources pointed out.

One of the three mobile sets stays with the director general of shipping who is also the convener of international ship and port facility security code (ISPS code) designated authority (DA) committee. Another phone stays with the principle officer of mercantile marine department (POMMD) and the third is kept at ISPS code cell office.

The security alarm system was installed through these phone sets as the master of every ship, who is responsible for the ship's security, knows a secret number to push and trigger the alarm whenever a ship faces piracy or falls in danger.

The phone sets are kept with three key members of the DA Committee in line with the ISPS code. Under the system the members are supposed to take quick action after getting an alarm.

The urgent alarm system was developed under the ISPS code which has been mandatory in Bangladesh since July 1, 2004.

The department of shipping has been receiving fax messages from ships inquiring about the disruption in the alarm system. The system has remained off since Thursday evening, the sources said.

Director General of Shipping AKM Shafiqulah told the Daily Star last night that he will meet the state minister today and try to convince him about the importance of the alarm system.

If the phone sets are misused, the government can take alternative measures but should not disconnect the system, he pointed out. He admitted that his office has been receiving messages from ships in the sea inquiring about the disruption since the system collapsed.