Sri Vijaya Puram, November 14: A routine evening ferry journey between Phoenix Bay and Bambooflat turned into a rescue operation on November 13 after passenger vessel MV Sher Ali collided with a fishing dinghy near Hope Town Jetty, capsizing the smaller boat and leaving two people in the water.
The two occupants of the fishing dinghy were rescued by the crew of MV Sher Ali, who pulled them aboard the passenger vessel. However, the incident also left the ferry with technical problems after fishing nets became entangled in its propeller, reportedly affecting both engines.
The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm when MV Sher Ali was travelling from Phoenix Bay to Bambooflat with passengers on board. According to a complaint lodged by the vessel’s master, Shajid Parvez, at Bambooflat Police Station, the passenger vessel was navigating through its designated channel when the fishing dinghy allegedly came dangerously close to its path.
In his complaint, Parvez stated that the dinghy was operating without navigational lights or signals. One of its occupants reportedly used a torchlight to alert the approaching passenger vessel.
Sensing the danger, the master said he immediately operated the astern control in an attempt to stop MV Sher Ali. However, with the two vessels already at close quarters, there was insufficient distance to bring the passenger vessel to a halt, resulting in the collision that overturned the dinghy.
With two people struggling in the water, the immediate priority was their safety. The crew of MV Sher Ali managed to rescue both occupants and bring them aboard, averting what could have turned into a more serious incident.
The situation, however, became more complicated when fishing nets laid by the dinghy’s occupants reportedly became entangled in the propeller of MV Sher Ali. The entanglement caused technical malfunctions in both engines, affecting the vessel’s ability to continue its journey normally.
Following the incident, the master alerted the afloat authorities, prompting the dispatch of MV Juhi to provide assistance. Upon reaching the location, MV Juhi took over the passengers and the two rescued fishermen, ensuring their safe transfer. MV Sher Ali was subsequently brought to Bambooflat Jetty with assistance from the responding vessel.
In his complaint, Parvez alleged that the fishing dinghy had been operating within the designated navigational channel, with fishing nets laid in an area used by passenger vessels. He maintained that the absence of proper navigational lights and warning signals had created a potentially dangerous situation for other vessels navigating the route.
The complaint identified the operator of the fishing dinghy as G. Kamaraju, a resident of Junglighat, based on information gathered during a subsequent enquiry. The master has sought police action over the alleged unsafe operation of the fishing boat.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of maintaining navigational discipline in busy waterways, particularly along ferry routes that serve as a lifeline for island communities. With passenger vessels and fishing boats sharing the same waters, the absence of adequate lighting, warning signals and safe operating practices can put lives at risk.
While the two occupants were rescued without a reported loss of life, the incident highlights how a moment of poor visibility and close navigation can disrupt ferry services and potentially endanger several people.
