Mumbai Boat Accident: Mumbai saw a mariner heroically rescue more than 50 individuals using a boat designed for 12 passengers
Mumbai Boat Accident: Mumbai saw a mariner heroically rescue more than 50 individuals using a boat designed for 12 passengers.
The death toll could have been significantly higher if not for the prompt actions of Captain Anmol Shrivastava.
On December 20, the ferry Neel Kamal, en route to Elephanta Island from the Gateway of India, tragically capsized after being struck by an out-of-control Indian Navy speedboat. The vessel, which was transporting more than 100 passengers, sank rapidly, resulting in the loss of 14 lives.
Captain Shrivastava, tasked with the navigation of large cargo vessels in and out of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, was on duty on Wednesday. He was scheduled to escort a cargo ship at 1:45 PM; however, the operation was delayed by an hour due to extended loading times. While returning to the port after completing the escort, he received an urgent SOS call via radio regarding a ferry that was sinking.
Upon arriving at the scene, Captain Shrivastava discovered that the ferry was nearly completely underwater, with passengers, including young children, desperately grasping onto the few remaining sections of the craft. Several parents were observed lifting their infants above the water, fighting to ensure their safety.
“We realised we could reach the location within five minutes and immediately headed there at full speed. People were in shock and panicked. Everyone wanted to get in, but we primarily got the children first, then elderly women and then the men. As a mariner, I am trained to follow the principles of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). It was destiny that we were near the site of the accident,” says the captain.
“Nearly 50 people were holding on to the sinking boat and 30 others were floating. I told my crew to lower two iron ladders, and throw lifebuoys, jackets and ropes into the sea. Some of the people were pulled up by hand,” adds the captain.
Captain Shrivastava, although his vessel was designed to hold just 12 individuals, utilized his extensive maritime expertise to evaluate the buoyancy and successfully brought 57 survivors on board. Among the rescued was a seven-year-old boy, who unfortunately did not survive despite the efforts of Shrivastava and German tourists who performed CPR.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has declared that Captain Shrivastava will be honored for his remarkable courage and dedication during the Republic Day celebrations.
