High-level probe into MT Pavit incident: Govt

The state government on Tuesday announced a high-level probe into how MT Pavit ran aground completely undetected.

The state government on Tuesday announced a high-level probe into how MT Pavit ran aground completely undetected.

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After Opposition legislators slammed the state government about the glaring coastal security breach, Satej Patil, minister of state for home, said the government would institute a probe into the incident.

Patil in his statement said that a case of negligence against the Panama ship's owner had been filed under Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code at Yellow Gate police station. A criminal complaint for causing loss to public property had also been registered.

Patil said, "None of the three agencies - the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard or the state coastal police - could spot the vessel because of the bad weather. Further inquiry will be carried out by the ministry of shipping."

The ship captain and owner have been sent show-cause notices, he added.

Raising the issue in the assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar said, "The incident is shocking and once again shows how unprepared our agencies are in protecting the coast despite the 26/11 attacks."

Legislators created a ruckus, which led to the house being adjourned for 10 minutes by the presiding officer, Vasant Purke.

The ship has been drifting since July 1. However, the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard and the state coastal police failed to detect this 999-tonne vessel.

Patil said the Juhu police had first sighted the ship on July 31 in the afternoon and they had, as per protocol, informed the Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.

The state police are responsible for manning 5 nautical miles off the coast, the Coast Guard mans up to 12 nautical miles while the high seas is manned by the Indian Navy.