Team Herald
PANJIM: The River Navigation Department (RND) has confirmed that strong winds and low tide caused the ‘Mandovi’ hit the sand bar on Thursday, while ‘Bandora’, plying on the same route, suffered technical snag after it got entangled in the ropes.
“It was unfortunate that ‘Bandora’ got entangled in the ropes, else rescuing of passengers would have been completed within few minutes. Nevertheless, it will be taken to the Marine Workshop for repairs and will return to service soon,” said an officer.
Meanwhile, hours after a dozen passengers on board ‘Mandovi’ ferry boat that had hit a sand bar on Thursday evening refused to come on shore, the rescued team shifted them on land at around 10.30 pm. The local administration also ensured that the two-wheelers were handed over to the right passengers early Friday morning.
The ferry boat carrying over 35 commuters besides 12 two-wheelers hit the sand bar while enroute from Panjim jetty to Betim, at around 4.30 pm.
After a failed attempt by the River & Navigation Department (RND), the Marine Police and the Fire Safety personnel were roped-in for the rescue operation. The second ferry boat ‘Bandora’ which was pressed into service to pull ‘Mandovi’ was entangled in the ropes of one of the off-shore casino boats, which affected the propeller.
Around 25 people were brought on shore with the help of the marine police boat, but the remaining were adamant that the authorities lift their bikes too to land. This is despite the RND taking responsibility for their bikes.
Sources said that Additional Collector (North Goa), Mamlatdar and Deputy Captain of Ports then boarded ‘Mandovi’ to convince the passengers to cooperate with the rescue operation.
“At around 10.30 pm, the remaining passengers were brought to the shore. On the next morning, the mamlatdar ensured that the two-wheelers that remained on board are handed over to its owners,” a department source told Herald.
On the fateful day, the RND had brought in a third ferry boat to ensure other commuters were not affected.
