Maharashtra tourist dies in Calangute boat accident: 2 arrested, operator’s NOC suspended

Panaji/Calangute: Accusing the water sports operator of violating the conditions for the operation of the 8.5m-long boat at Calangute beach, the Captain of Ports (COP) department on Thursday suspended the licence issued to the boat operator. Goa coastal police have also arrested the two crew members of the boat for negligence, which resulted in the boat overturning about 60m off the Calangute coast. The arrested individuals have been identified as Dharappa Zhirali, 42, from Belagavi, and Ibrahim Sab, 34, from Shimoga.

While police registered an offence against boat owner Alex Coutinho, COP records show that the boat is registered in Meena Coutinho’s name.

The department said that the accident “seems to be a case of overloading, which led to the unfortunate incident of the vessel capsizing” that resulted in the death of Suryakant Pophalkar, 54, from Khed, Maharashtra.

“The operating NOC for the vessel Goa-824-WS is hereby suspended with immediate effect until further notice,” said hydrographic surveyor Ram Asare Gupta.

As per the FIR registered on Dec 25 with police, there were 18-20 passengers on the boat when the accident occurred. A senior official with the Captain of Ports said that the boat was permitted to carry just 10 passengers and two crew members.

Pophalkar drowned after he was trapped under the overturned boat. The deceased tourist was part of a family of 13 that booked a joyride with the vessel operator. The widow of the deceased, Sarika, said the boat had at least 25 passengers and that the two children were not given life jackets.

Among the passengers were two children aged 6 and 7, and two females aged 25 and 55. Drishti Marine lifeguards said that two passengers on the boat were not wearing life jackets, which further complicated the rescue.

“The Captain of Ports only provides a fitness certification. The operation of water sports comes under the tourism department because it is a tourism activity,” said a COP official.