Emergency Rescue Prevents Maritime Disaster After Kochi Ferry Loses Power
A mechanical failure on a KSINC ferry sent dozens of passengers and vehicles drifting toward open water on Tuesday. Fisheries Marine Enforcement teams intercepted the vessel before it exited the shipping channel.
Key takeaways
- A KSINC-operated Ro-Ro ferry lost engine power at 6 p.m. on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi route.
- The vessel drifted into the shipping channel with 50 passengers and over 60 vehicles on board.
- The Fisheries Marine Enforcement wing intercepted the ferry and towed it back to shore safely.
- No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew following the rescue operation.
Technical Snag Triggers Open Sea Drift
A routine crossing on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi route nearly ended in disaster on Tuesday evening when a roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry lost propulsion. The vessel, managed by the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), suffered a total engine failure at approximately 6:00 p.m. while traveling from Vypeen toward Fort Kochi. Without power, the ferry was caught in the current and began drifting down the primary shipping channel toward the open sea.
Rapid Intervention and Recovery
The Fisheries Marine Enforcement wing based at Vypeen launched a rescue operation as the ferry moved out of control. A fisheries patrol boat intercepted the drifting craft, eventually securing it with towing lines. Rescuers successfully pulled the vessel back to the safety of the shore, preventing it from entering more turbulent waters outside the harbor area. Authorities confirmed that all individuals on board were evacuated without injury.
Manifest and Cargo Details
The ferry was heavily loaded at the time of the mechanical breakdown. The manifest included:
- Approximately 50 passengers
- About 50 motorcycles
- Nine passenger cars
- One traveler van
The incident has raised concerns regarding the reliability of the fleet on this high-traffic route, though the swift actions of the enforcement team averted any loss of life or property damage.
Source: The Hindu — National
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