Mumbai: CISF rescues nine crew members from sinking tugboat near Colaba

The VTMS) alerted the CISF Control Room at around 6:10 am that a tugboat, identified as KPS Shivli, was in distress. Pic/Special Arrangement

Nine crew members aboard a tugboat were rescued by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) after the vessel began taking on water near the Colaba Lighthouse off the Mumbai coast early on Friday morning.

According to officials, the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) alerted the CISF Control Room at around 6:10 am that a tugboat, identified as KPS Shivli, was in distress after water started entering the vessel through a large hole in its bottom section.

CISF rescue team deployed immediately

Following the alert, the CISF deployed its patrol boat, Sierra-1, to the location. The rescue team reached the area near the lighthouse at approximately 6:50 a.m.

CISF personnel Litesh Kumar and Jaidhav Vaibhav, along with the boat crew, carried out the rescue operation and safely evacuated all nine crew members from the damaged tugboat.

Crew members brought safely to shore

The rescued crew members, along with their personal belongings, were transported to the Gateway of India without any reported injuries.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the damage that resulted in the hole in the vessel. Further investigation into the incident is expected.