Panamian merchantman grounded off Colaba

AUGUST 24: A Panamian flagged general cargo ship the Esperanza III’ ran aground on the Prongs Reef off Colaba due to squally winds and rough sea late Friday evening.

All 35 crew are safe and still on board the 9500-tonne ship which dragged anchor and drifted onto the reef. According to port trust officials, six other vessels also dragged anchor but used their engines to break away. The ship was carrying a cargo of steel plates and was anchored at the W1 berth when it ran aground on the reef. Efforts to tow the ship out using tugs proved unsuccessful. Several ships have run aground on the reef over the last few years, the last being the Brazilian Tupi Buzios’ in June 1996. The ship continues to remain on the reef off Colaba.