In freak mishap, two patrol boats of the Indian Navy sank in the Mumbai harbour after catching fire in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident happened in the naval dockyard here, after a fire broke out in one of the security boats which are deployed for patrolling in and outside the Mumbai harbour. The fire spread to an adjoining boat because of strong winds.
The security boats that suffered damage and sank in the mishap owing to ingress of water are better known as Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs). “The ISVs are small in size and used for patrolling in and outside the Mumbai habour,” a senior Navy official said.
“During the fire fighting, two boats suffered damage and ingress of water and are submerged in shallow waters inside the Naval harbour. Efforts are in progress to salvage the boats,” the Navy official said.
Except revealing that the two damaged boats were made of “fibre-glass”, the officials did not come out with details like the type or class of boats and the circumstances leading to the mishap.
“Prompt fire fighting actions taken by the duty staff prevented the fire from spreading to other boats in close vicinity,” the official said.
“Efforts are in progress to salvage the boats. Prompt actions by all concerned have ensured that there was no loss of life or damage to other naval assets in harbour,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the Navy has ordered a Board of Inquiry into the mishap.