An Indian Navy craft (speedboat), which was undergoing trials for a newly fitted engine, experienced malfunction and crashed into a passenger ferry boat, off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday that killed 13 people, according to Navy officials. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident but it is believed that the engine malfunction led to the rider losing control of the craft, resulting in the collision. Officials said that while they are still not aware whether one of the two Navy officials or one of the other four occupants (onboard the speedboat) were controlling the vessel, a board of inquiry would be constituted to investigate the incident. “Whenever a major component, such as an engine, is fitted onto a craft, we conduct extensive tests along with the OEM to prevent any issues from arising at critical moments. For instance, if the manufacturer claims that the engine can reach speeds of 140 kmph, we test it with them onboard to verify the claim. A similar test was being conducted,” an official said. After the new engine was fitted, six individuals — including four OEM representatives — began the trial when the rider lost control, leading to the collision with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal off Karanja, Mumbai, around 4 pm. The ferry was transporting passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Mumbai police said that they have registered an FIR against the occupants of the speedboat including the navy boat driver. “Minutes after the incident, a video showing a high-speed speedboat colliding with a ferry boat went viral on social media. The person identified as Natharam Chaudhary, who shot the video, is the complainant in the case,” a senior Mumbai police officer said, adding that they have registered a case under relevant sections of negligence among others. Navy officials claimed that the speedboat was carrying two Navy personnel and four Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) representatives, who were testing the new engine. Mahendra Singh Shekhawat of the Indian Navy and two OEM representatives — Pravin Sharma and Mangesh — died in the incident. “One individual who was part of the test in the speed boat, is critically injured, and two others are receiving treatment,” said a Navy official. “Search and rescue operations were immediately launched by the Navy, in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat, and three Marine Police boats are involved in the rescue efforts,” a defense spokesperson said. The officials stated that a board of inquiry will be conducted to understand the cause of the incident. “We will investigate how the engine malfunctioned and determine if any other factors contributed to the mishap,” they added.
