VISAKHAPATNAM: In light of the incident involving the Mumbai-based merchant vessel Jalavahini trying to enter Vizag harbour, without prior permission from the port authorities Monday, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard in New Delhi on Wednesday reportedly asked the port authorities to send a report immediately. According to sources, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard authorities looked into the incident with their local officials. They also organised a high level meeting with Visakhapatnam Port Trust officials. However, the marine police of Andhra Pradesh wasn’t involved.
During the meeting, officials of the three wings came to the conclusion that distressed former captain of the ship, Manmohan Singh out of fear from his own crew tried to enter Vizag harbour, the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command. “In view of the trade and national economy, we never disturb the operations of any merchant vessel, unless there is clear information to check. However, the Jalavahini incident is a wakeup call for us,” a senior naval official said.
A senior cop in the marine police said that there was no communication from the Navy, Port and Indian Coast Guard about the meeting. “On the first day of the incident, we visited the harbour. But, our role was almost zero. There were no clear guidelines for us to register cases in this regard, but the civic cops are looking into it.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Jalavahini was berthed in the inner harbour and steel was being loaded into it. The mentally distressed captain was sent to King George Hospital. The VPT authorities said that the vessel will leave Friday morning, after the completion of cargo loading operation.