Mumbai boat mishap: Overloaded ferry’s licence cancelled

The MMB has determined the cause of the accident to be a collision of a naval speedboat with the ferry

Mumbai The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), which is conducting an investigation into Wednesday’s boat mishap in the Mumbai harbour that has claimed 14 lives, has cancelled the licence of the ferry, Neel Kamal. The licence and its survey certificate have been cancelled by MMB as the vessel was overloaded, thus violating the Inland Vessel Act. The ferry had a capacity of 90 persons and, prima facie, it appears that there were 110 persons on board. The MMB has, however, determined the cause of the accident to be a collision of a naval speedboat with the ferry.

Birds perched atop the sunk ferry, Neel Kamal. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

Praveen Khara, chief port officer, MMB, said the Navy is investigating whether engine failure had caused the speedboat to spin out of control. Khara added, “We have decided that all passengers boarding all boats must wear safety jackets. In the case of the Neel Kamal boat tragedy, there was no time for the passengers to wear life jackets.’’

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, who was shipping minister in the UPA government, has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, for coordinated efforts to ensure maritime safety in the Mumbai harbour in the wake of the ferry accident off the coast of the Gateway of India.

“As you are aware, Mumbai’s harbour has witnessed significant growth in maritime traffic due to increased passenger services, cargo movement and recreational activities. However, this growth has brought with it challenges related to safety, regulation, and enforcement. It is critical that we address these gaps through a coordinated effort involving central and state agencies, including the Maharashtra Maritime Board, Western Naval Command, Mumbai Port Trust, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust,’’ Deora has said in the letter.