About 401 passengers including 134 crew on board the Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai cruise liner MV Ocean Life had a lucky escape after the vessel developed a crack in the sea on its return from a maiden voyage in the wee hours of Tuesday.
What began as a dream cruise ended up in a nightmare when water began to enter into the hull and the vessel tilted by the time rescue teams could reach the distressed ship.
According to sources in Mormugao Port, timely action by the MPT, Navy and Coast Guard averted a major tragedy and the ship along with its passengers returned safely to the Mormugao Port in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The MV Ocean Life had arrived from Mumbai on its maiden voyage on Monday at about 1.20 pm, as part of its regular ‘Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai’ service.
“During its return journey from Goa to Mumbai on Monday evening, the vessel had to return to the Mormugao Port in the wee hours of Tuesday from the 17 nautical miles in the deep sea, after the hull developed a crack,” informed Deputy Conservator of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Karan Vaswani.
“The vessel had sailed at about 10.15 pm from the port for Mumbai and at about 12.35 am, the ship captain alerted the Port Signal Station that the vessel would return to the port, as a crack had developed on the left side and water had entered the ship,” said Vaswani.
“The port authority, Indian Navy and Coast Guard swiftly swung into action to carry out the rescue operation, as three tugs along with pilot boats of the port, as well as ships of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard left for rescue operations,” said Vaswani.
Vaswani said pilot boats of the port were in regular communication with the distressed vessel to know the position of the vessel, as the vessel began to tilt by the time rescue team could reach the site.
Three tugs that were sailed for rescue operations helped in keeping the ship in its actual position, while two ships of Navy and Coast Guard brought back the ship to the port at about 4 am on Tuesday.
During the rescue operation, passengers and the crew remained on board the vessel and they were safely offloaded after the ship was anchored at Mormugao Port.
“The ship has been moved at Western India Shipyard for repairs,” added Vaswani.
Speaking to Herald, Naval Officer In-charge (Goa) Commodore Ajay K Chabra said after Navy received a call from MPT at about 2 am on Tuesday.
“The Navy immediately swung into action and three ships, Kondul, Bitra and Kankarsu, were in position to sail for rescue operation,” he said.
“Besides, a Fast Patrol Vessel from Mumbai was also ready for rescue and Coast Guard ship was also made available for rescue operation.”
“It was a coordinated effort by the Mormugao Port, Navy and Coast Guard in carrying out the rescue operation,” said Chhabra.
“After the vessel developed a crack, it titled almost 5 degrees on its return to the port,” he informed.
“We were monitoring the situation till early Tuesday morning,” added Chhabra.
“In the morning, a Navy diver identified the size of the crack at the bottom of the hull,” said Chhabra.
It may be recalled that Blue Ocean Cruises, a European cruise company formed recently with an aim to initiate cruising in Indian waters, had started operations with its vessel ‘MV Ocean Life’.
The Ocean Life, which is about 29 years old, is registered in Malta.
The vessel left Mumbai on Sunday and was scheduled to make two trips a week and may increase its frequency as the demand grows.
According to some media reports, the vessel has been refurbished at a cost of Rs 100 crore and boasts of modern amenities. The ship has 231 cabins, including 35 suites, 121 outside staterooms and 75 ‘value for money’ inside staterooms.
The cruise liner will also has a kids zone, gaming zone, shopping arena, casino, spa and wellness centre, pool bar, lounge and a chill-out zone.
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