PANAJI: An 18-meter fiberglass boat sank just off Goa’s coast, close to the Raj Bhavan while returning from a trip to a nearby island on Monday evening.
The Kerala registered boat, which has a capacity of 30 passengers, but only had six crew members aboard when it took on water and sank.
All six crew members were rescued by fishing vessels and other boats that responded to the distress call.
Goa’s Captain of Ports authority has initiated a probe into the incident.
The vessel had 200 litres of diesel onboard but authorities have not noticed any oil spill.
“The boat sank on Monday after there was water ingress in the vessel. The charterer of the vessel has already contacted a salvage company. They have put buoys to mark the location of the sunken vessel,” Vikas Gaunekar, captain of the port, said.
Gaunekar said that the local authorities conducted a survey at the site of the incident. Though the bow of the stricken vessel was visible initially, the entire vessel sank subsequently.
Gaunekar said that the vessel does not pose a threat to fishing vessels and other pleasure boats. A notice to mariners has also been issued to all vessels.
According to authorities, the boat had come to Goa a month ago and was undergoing trials.
However, photos available with TOI show that the vessel had undertaken commercial tours. On the day it sank, the boat had sailed to Grande Island and was returning when it took on water.
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