The suspension of mechanised boat fishing has slowed down the pace of boat maintenance. Normally, about 230 boats will undergo maintenance but it was not so this year. The 61-day ban on fishing by mechanised boats since April 15 has not made any difference because 163 large boats that violated the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983 were also barred from fishing by the law enforcement agency since September last. Uncertainty over resumption of fishing by large mechanised boats looms large among boat owners, who were hesitant to take up boat maintenance. Painting a steel hulled boat would cost up to Rs. 1 lakh, R.J. Bosco, a mechanised boat owner, said here on Tuesday. The fishing harbour wore a deserted look as only a few boats undergo repair and maintenance. The local economy suffered a lot since large boats were barred from fishing. Many fishermen, who had been rendered jobless for a long period, were struggling to pay tuition fees for their children in schools this academic year. B. Antony, another boat owner, said that fishermen were reluctant to take up maintenance since it required huge sum. Only when boats were in good condition, owners could earn a good revenue. Unlike wooden boat, maintenance of a steel boat requires more money, P. Antony Fernando, boat owner, said. N. Jeya Kirubakar, boat owner, said bank loans could be availed to meet expenditure on boat maintenance only if boat owners were sure of resuming fishing on June 15 when the ban would be lifted. Besides, multi-day fishing at sea is required to avoid loss in business. The mechanised boat owners association had taken up the issue to the attention of Directorate General of Shipping and were keeping their fingers crossed, he said.