Mumbai Boat Accident: Details of the Crash
The Neel Kamal ferry, operated by Mahesh Tours and Travels, was packed with passengers when the incident occurred. Among the passengers were residents from Mumbai and tourists from various Indian states, including West Bengal, Kerala, and Rajasthan, as well as a few foreign nationals. The speedboat involved in the collision, a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), was undergoing engine trials when it lost control. The speedboat, which was being tested with a newly fitted engine, veered off course and struck the ferry. According to video footage captured by passengers, the speedboat was unable to steer away in time, leading to the fatal crash.
As told to TOI, one of the survivors, Gautam Gupta, recalled the terrifying moment before the collision, stating, “I was filming the speedboat, assuming it was performing stunts, when it suddenly collided with our ferry. To my shock and horror, the impact flung one of the speedboat’s passengers into the air. He landed on our ferry’s deck, right next to me, his lifeless body gruesomely injured.” Gupta, who survived the capsizing, is currently receiving treatment at St George’s Hospital.
Mumbai Boat Accident: Rescue Operations and Aftermath
The Neel Kamal ferry sank immediately after the collision, triggering a large-scale rescue operation. Within 20 minutes, a trawler and pilot boats from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) reached the scene, offering initial assistance. The Navy, Coast Guard, and marine police soon joined the rescue effort, deploying 11 naval boats, three Coast Guard vessels, three marine police boats, and four helicopters. The timely arrival of JNPT boats, equipped with life jackets, was credited with preventing further casualties.
A survivor named Ashok described the scene as chaotic as water flooded the ferry. He swam for 15 minutes after the vessel capsized, expressing frustration over the delayed arrival of rescue teams. Authorities have yet to confirm if any individuals remain unaccounted for. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, stated that a detailed report is expected to be available by Thursday morning.
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Cause of the Collision: Engine Malfunction Suspected
The speedboat involved in the crash was carrying six people, including two Navy personnel and four representatives from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) who were testing the newly installed engine. It is believed that a technical fault in the engine caused the vessel to veer off course. “Whenever a major component, such as an engine, is fitted onto a craft, we conduct extensive tests along with the OEM to prevent any issues from arising at critical moments,” explained a Navy official. “A similar test was being conducted when the rider lost control, leading to the collision.”Navy officials have launched a board of inquiry to investigate the malfunction and determine whether any other factors contributed to the accident. Police have filed an FIR against the speedboat operator and others on board for negligence and reckless navigation.
Mumbai Ferry Boat Accident: Concerns Over Maritime Safety Practices
The crash has highlighted gaps in maritime safety enforcement, particularly on passenger ferries. Despite carrying an adequate supply of life jackets, passengers aboard the Neel Kamal did not wear them until the ferry began to sink. A senior port official pointed out the lack of vigilance by both ferry operators and regulatory authorities. “While it is mandatory to store life jackets on boats, passengers rarely wear them unless faced with an emergency. This general lethargy can prove fatal,” the official said.
Sources close to maritime authorities stressed the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, urging licensing authorities to penalise operators who fail to ensure the use of life jackets by all passengers. “Licensing authorities must penalise operators who fail to ensure that life jackets are provided and used by all passengers,” they stated.
The Neel Kamal ferry, owned by the Padte family of Mahesh Tours and Travels, is under police investigation. Sunil Padte, one of the ferry’s proprietors, has been questioned by police. In a formal complaint, survivor Natharam Choudhary filed charges against the speedboat crew under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita for negligence and endangering lives.
Subhash More, a local boat operator, raised concerns about naval boats operating too close to passenger ferries, alleging that such manoeuvres destabilise the vessels. More claimed that several complaints about the issue had been ignored by naval authorities. Despite the complaints, such dangerous practices have not been addressed.
Mumbai Ferry Boat Accident: Increased Security Measures
Following the tragedy, police have heightened security around the Gateway of India, halting tourist access. Many boat operators’ offices in the area, usually bustling with activity, remain closed as investigations continue. Ambulances and emergency personnel remain on standby at the site as authorities work to uncover the full details of the incident.
The crash near Mumbai’s Gateway of India is not an isolated incident but rather part of ongoing concerns regarding safety in India’s maritime sector. The lack of adequate enforcement of safety regulations has been a longstanding issue, with several incidents involving negligent practices in the past. While life jackets are required on all boats, passengers rarely wear them unless forced to, further exacerbating the risks.
The Neel Kamal tragedy serves as a wake-up call for authorities to improve oversight and ensure that ferry operators comply with established safety standards to prevent such disasters from happening again.
(With inputs from TOI)
