MV Nancowry develops hole; All is well says Director Shipping Services

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Sept 13: Mainland bound Passenger Ship, MV Nancowry is all set to sail for Chennai on 15 September 2015 but it has been learnt that the ship has developed a hole and many question whether it is safe to carry passengers in that ship.
However, the Director Shipping, Capt Rajinder Kumar to informed Andaman Sheekha that all is well and the vessel is fit to sail.
According to sources, on the last sailing to Kolkata the ship met with an accident near Kolkata Port because of which a hole developed on one side of the ship.
Sources also said that to repair the damages, the ship was delayed for a day at Kolkata.
Sources further said that when the Ship sailed to Port Blair the next day and reached the open sea after crossing the river, sea water started coming inside the ship but the captain tilted the ship by filling one water tank on the other side and anyhow managed to bring the ship back to Port Blair in danger.
Now the ship is sailing on Tuesday and one wonder how safe it will be to carry passengers in the ship.
When questioned the Director Shipping, Capt Rajinder Kumar about this issue, he replied through an SMS that the hole was developed when the ship going alongside at Kolkata and the hole is well above the water line.
“The vessel is perfectly safe. The Surveyor has inspected and cleared the vessel with temporary repairs. Permanent repairs will be undertaken during the ship’s next voyage to Chennai,” Capt Rajinder Kumar added.