Tug topples over during Ro-Pax vessel trial run; six rescued, one missing

A top official of Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) confirmed the incident saying, “Due to a variation in speed of the vessel and the tug helping the new Ro-Pax vessel berth at the Gogha terminal, the tug capsized during a trial run. There were a total of seven persons on the tug at the time of the incident. Out of them, we have rescued six while the seventh is still missing. While the rescue operations are still on, we are suspecting that probably he hit the tug while jumping off it.”

Six persons rescued after tug overturns during a trial run of a new Ro-Pax vessel at Ghogha terminal in Gujarat; one missing @IndianExpress

— Avinash Nair (@Avinashgnair) October 25, 2018

GMB is a partner in this PPP project that has been assisting the Surat-based company Indigo Seaways Pvt Ltd to launch and operate the new vessel.

Referring to the speculations over its launch scheduled Saturday, the official declined the incident will have any impact on it. “The launch will go ahead as planned and there will be no change in it. We are trying to remove the capsized tug. It will take some time but not hamper the launch in any manner.”

However, sources revealed that though GMB is exploring all possible ways to remove it before its launch, it will take minimum four to five days to remove it from the place of incident due to operational issues.

Officials from the Surat-based company said the trial runs of the new vessel was being undertaken for the last couple of days, where vehicles were being loaded and unloaded from the vessel at both Dahej and Ghogha terminals in preparation for the launch of its commercial operations on October 27.

“It will take some days to remove the tug. But it is not likely to hamper the October 27 event, as it is lying outside the turning circle where the vessels turn and exit the terminal for its onward journey,” the official added.

The project launched in the Gulf of Khambhat between Dahej and Ghogha ports have been full of challenges, as the region witnesses tidal variations of more than 11 meters and have currents of 4-5 nautical miles during the day.