TEAM HERALD
CHORAO: Over 50 passengers using the Ribandar-Chorao ferry route had a fortunate escape as they were left stranded for over four hours on Friday night when the ferry they were in ran aground near the Divar side.
The stranded ferry was finally pulled out after multiple attempts and managed to reach the Chorao ferry wharf at about 11.45 pm. The stranded passengers have alleged that an inexperienced crew member was steering the ferry at the time of the mishap.
Speaking to Herald, passengers stranded in the ferry said the ‘Quepem’ ferry had left the Ribandar ferry wharf loaded with passengers and a number of vehicles at about 7.30 pm.
“It was dark and an inexperienced crew steered the ferry towards Divar island, which had low water level due to siltation. The ferry got grounded and could not move an inch,” recalled the passenger.
“The passengers and crew patiently waited for high tide to resolve the situation, but when the ferry could not move from the site, passengers got alarmed and alerted their near and dear ones.”
“The crew then got in touch with the RND office which sent two small boats that could not dislodge the ferry boat. The RDN sent then sent two larger boats at about 10 pm, which could not get close to the ferry due to the low tide. Finally, some local youth reached the ferry with a small canoe and fastened a long rope to the ferry which was then tied to the larger boats and they finally managed to pull out the ferry,” said the passenger.
During this entire rescue operation, the Chorao ferry wharf was filled with scores of worried relatives. A police team was also dispatched to the site to maintain law and order. The stranded ferry finally reached the Chorao ferry wharf at about 11.45 pm, much to the relief of the stranded passengers.
