How did ship float in undetected, defence ministry asks Navy, coast guard

Taking serious note of the merchant vessel MT Pavit running aground at Juhu beach on Sunday, defence minister AK Antony has asked the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard to submit a report on how the abandoned ship entered Indian waters undetected.

Taking serious note of the merchant vessel MT Pavit running aground at Juhu beach on Sunday, defence minister AK Antony has asked the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard to submit a report on how the abandoned ship entered Indian waters undetected.

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“The defence minister will also be holding a meeting on coastal security next week which will be attended by officials from the Navy, Coast Guard and the defence ministry,” defence sources said on Wednesday.

At Juhu beach, security was beefed up soon after the cargo vessel floated into view. A team of policemen has been deployed at the beach round the clock to avert any mishaps.

“We have cordoned off the area to make sure people do not get too close to the sea in their excitement to get a glimpse of the vessel, which would result in drowning as it did in the case of MV Wisdom,” said Arun Bhagat, senior inspector of Juhu police station in whose jurisdiction the ship is stranded.

Lifeguards too are on their toes making sure that visitors are kept at the bay.

The Panama-flag vessel started to drift towards Mumbai’s coast after its engines failed a month ago near the coast of Oman, leading to flooding of its engine room.

The crew of the 70-metre long merchant vessel was rescued following a distress call near Oman.