Indian Government Cites Security Failure Along West Coast

The two cargo vessels MV Wisdom and MT Pavit ran aground off Mumbai coast during June-July 2011. MV Wisdom, being towed from Colombo to Alang for dismantling lost tow approximately 12 NM west of Mumbai harbour and due to prevalent adverse sea conditions finally ran aground at Juhu beach on the night of 11th June 2011.

On 31st July 2011 merchant vessels MT Pavit was found grounded 1-2 meter depth in position 14 NM north of Colaba Point, Mumbai. Inputs indicated that this ship is a bonafide vessel which has Indian crew. M/s Pavit Shipping Lines, Dubai are the registered owners. The vessel was abandoned on 30th June 2011 off Oman due to engine failure and ingress of water. All 13 Indian crew were evacuated by a Royal Navy Warship and transferred to MT Jag Pushpa for disembarkment at Sikka, Gujarat. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai remained in touch with the vessel throughout the ordeal till abandoning and thereafter requested the owner to monitor the vessel. The owners informed the MRCC that the vessel had already sunk as reported by UK Maritime Trade Organisation.

An analysis carried out by Indian Navy has revealed that the reasons for non detection of MV Pavit could possibly be attributed to report of the vessel having been sunk, drift path of the ship through areas not covered by radar, prevailing monsoon weather (low and thick cloud base, poor visibility, heavy rain, rough seas) in the area, precluding satisfactory detection by radar or visual identification and MT pavit was also not having operational automatic Identification System (AIS) due to no power supply or batteries on the ship.

Government has initiated several measures to strengthen Coastal Security, which includes improving surveillance mechanism and enhanced patrolling by following an integrated approach. Joint operational exercises are conducted on regular basis among Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Customs and others to check the effectiveness of this approach adopted for security of coastal areas including island territories. Further, continuous review and monitoring of various mechanisms have been established by the government at different levels, involving various agencies, including the State/Union Territory authorities. The intelligence mechanism has also been streamlined through the creation of Joint Operation Centers and multi-agency coordination mechanism. Installation of radars covering the country’s entire coastline and islands is also an essential part of this process.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in separate written replies to Shri Jai Prakash and Shri N Balaganga in Rajya Sabha.

Source: Government of India's Press Information Bureau