Boat capsized: Licence of operator, driver suspended; panel to probe
Boat had capacity of only 20 passengers, but was ferrying 25 on October 24
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government suspended the licence of the boat, MRM1 and its driver (technically referred to as master) after it capsized off the Mumbai coast on October 24, killing a 35-year-old man.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is conducting a probe into the accident that occurred near Prongs Reef off the tip of Colaba.
Ravindra Chavan, minister of state for ports, said, “Audits of the boats, which have permission, are being carried out. We have suspended the master’s licence. Notices have been sent to the operator and the owner of the private company. A three-member committee has been constituted for the probe. The report is expected to be submitted in 10-15 days.”
The incident was discussed in the upper house on Thursday.
Jayant Patil, MLC from the Peasants and Workers Party of India, said that the boat was carrying more passengers than allowed.
Patil, who had sent fishing boats to help passengers , asked, “Would an airlines have allowed passengers more than the capacity of the plane? No. Then why were more people allowed on this boat?”
Anil Parab, Shiv Sena MLA, demanded to know who booked the fourth boat which met with an accident. “One boat belonged to MMB, while two others were booked by organisers. Who booked the fourth one?” he asked.
Chavan said action will be taken against any official found guilty. With an aim to improve the services at Gateway of India, the state will formally seek to take operational control of a jetty at the anchorage.
“We will speak to Nitin Gadkari [union minister for shipping] to takeover the jetty from Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT),” Chavan responded, when Rahul Narvekar from NCP demanded that infrastructure services and security be improved at the busy anchorage.
According to MBPT, which issues permissions to operate ferries, yachts, and other vessels from the Gateway of India, it had not given any permission for the boat to sail. According to the fitness certificate issued by MMB, MRM1 had the capacity to ferry 20 passengers. However, when it capsized, it had 25 people on board.