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Besides investigating the cause of the accident of Wednesday’s incident in which 14 people died after a Navy speedboat struck a passenger ferry boat off Karanje coast, Mumbai police are also probing the operator of the ferry boat, who, according to them allegedly ferried excess passengers (around 110) against the official capacity of 84 passengers plus six crew members, thus causing a risk to passengers’ safety.
“Though we have not directly named any crew members of the ferry boat yet, they will be named in the case after their role is established,” said a senior police officer.
Family members of the impacted passengers have also raised allegations over poor safety measures of passengers in the ferry boat.
Bhayander resident and brother of deceased Hansaraam Bhati, Jogaram Bhati, said, “The boat’s operator should also be held accountable as he was responsible for the passenger’s safety. He allowed over 100 passengers while the boat’s capacity was less. Rescued passengers also told us that there were not enough life jackets for the passengers.”
Colaba police officers said that they have obtained details of the ferry boat Neel Kamal from its owner.
“We have also written to the Maharashtra Maritime Board seeking details of the boat’s official registration details and details such as the capacity of the boat,” said a police officer.
So far the police have recorded statements of 11 people, and soon the crew of the ferryboat would be identified and their statements would be recorded,” said Swati Petkar, senior police inspector of Colaba police station.
The police have also sought information from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) regarding the SOP or safety manual a ferry boat operator should follow. Besides this, there has to be an officer or inspector from the maritime board whose duty is to ensure that the boat operators do not flout rules and risk passengers’ safety. The police are now trying to ascertain who that responsibility was given to.
The ill-fated ferry boat Neel Kamal and Navy speedboat will be inspected by the experts from MMB and Navy, the police said.
Family members of the impacted passengers have also raised allegations over poor safety measures of passengers in the ferry boat.
Bhayander resident and brother of deceased Hansaraam Bhati, Jogaram Bhati, said, “The boat’s operator should also be held accountable as he was responsible for the passenger’s safety. He allowed over 100 passengers while the boat’s capacity was less. Rescued passengers also told us that there were not enough life jackets for the passengers.”
Colaba police officers said that they have obtained details of the ferry boat Neel Kamal from its owner.
“We have also written to the Maharashtra Maritime Board seeking details of the boat’s official registration details and details such as the capacity of the boat,” said a police officer.
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