Vikramaditya
Car Nicobar, Dec. 19: Passenger Vessel MV Sentinel, which recently returned to the Andaman Islands after undergoing prolonged repair and maintenance at a drydock for nearly three years, collided with the Car Nicobar’s Mus Jetty this morning while attempting to berth.
The incident occurred around 9:00 am this morning when the ship, reportedly facing a technical issue, was unable to control its speed, resulting in a direct collision with the jetty with moderate speed. As per details, the bow of the vessel sustained damage, but fortunately, no passengers on board were injured.
Following the collision, immediate assistance was provided by the tugboat DRA-1, operated by a private company, which helped secure the ship alongside the jetty. Currently, welding and repair works are being carried out locally to address the damage.
The MV Sentinel, which was scheduled to sail for Sri Vijaya Puram later today from Car Nicobar, has had its departure postponed due to the incident. Authorities have yet to announce a revised sailing schedule, and further assessments of the ship’s condition are underway.
The MV Sentinel had recently resumed operations after a three-year hiatus for repairs and maintenance at a drydock in Kolkata. Many islanders have expressed concerns about the significant expenditure on refurbishing the aging vessel, questioning whether the funds could have been better utilized to purchase a new ship designed to efficiently transport passengers and cargo between the Islands of Nicobar District and Sri Vijaya Puram.
While the immediate focus is on ensuring the vessel’s seaworthiness, the incident has reignited debates over the state of maritime infrastructure and the prioritization of funds in the region. Local residents and stakeholders are calling for a thorough investigation into the collision and a reassessment of the administration’s approach to upgrading the Island’s fleet of passenger and cargo vessels.
