Port Blair, Oct 07: Due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions the A & N Administration vessel MV Strait Island which proceeded to Neil Island with 94 passengers onboard found extreme difficulty during berthing alongside Neil Jetty. Whilst berthing ship alongside, the after part of ship was blown on to the shallow patch and the stern touched the bottom due to which the ship was stranded for about four hours unable to land the passengers ashore.
An additional ship M V Chouldari and the Directorate’s tug M T Angad were immediately deployed by the Directorate of Shipping Services for assistance. The vessel M V Strait Island finally refloated at 1620 Hrs but however still could not come alongside Neil Jetty due to prevailing adverse weather and therefore the ship along with passengers had to be brought back to Port Blair under escort of the Directorate’s tug M T Angad. M V Strait Island returned to Port Blair with all passengers safe and sound at 1845 Hrs and thereafter the passengers were dispersed to their respective places of stay.
Secretary (Shipping), Director (Tourism) and Director Shipping Services were present on the jetty to receive and reassure the passengers onboard. As a sign of goodwill gesture refreshments were also organized for passengers. Concerned private tour operators were also asked by the tourism department to be present on jetty on arrival of ship to render any assistance required. Shuttle service for passengers needing the same was also provided.
The Director Shipping intimated that the incident will be suitably enquired into and the lessons drawn would be implemented as corrective measures to handle such emergencies even better in future. One immediate lesson was to stock all these short distance ships with adequate quantity of dry rations for immediate use.
