Mumbai: Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, chief of naval staff, visited Mumbai on Friday, a day after returning from an official trip to Indonesia, to assess safety protocols following a fatal collision at Mumbai harbour. The accident, which occurred on December 18, involved a special operations Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (Rhib) and an overloaded tourist ferry, resulting in 15 deaths.
The Indian Navy has initiated a probe into the incident. Admiral Tripathi held discussions with Vice Admiral Sanjay Singh, the western naval commander and other senior officials to evaluate the situation. The naval chief, who has consistently emphasised safety and discipline since assuming office, had previously addressed the issue in a letter to the force on June 4. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) have been briefed on the preliminary findings.
Probe focuses on engine malfunction
According to initial assessments, the Rhib, capable of speeds up to 45 knots, collided with the ferry “Neel Kamal” when its engine and rudder malfunctioned at high speed. However, questions remain about why the boat’s in-charge did not activate the crash stop button to halt the engine. The answers depend on the testimony of the chief petty officer, currently in the ICU. Another naval marine commando lost his life in the crash, while statements from a civilian survivor and the boat’s original equipment manufacturer have been recorded.
The ferry, en route to Elephanta Caves from the Gateway of India, was found to be overloaded, with 107 passengers onboard against its sanctioned capacity of 84 passengers and six crew members. Furthermore, passengers reportedly did not wear mandatory life jackets, leading to many fatalities from drowning.
Navy vows to enhance safety measures
This is the second mishap in the western naval command this year. Earlier, on July 21, guided missile frigate INS Brahmaputra caught fire during an overhaul at the Mumbai dockyard. The vessel has since been recovered, with decisions on its refurbishment pending. The Navy is expected to implement stricter safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
