Amid high drama, Visakhapatnam port authorities rescued the master of a bulk carrier after its officers and crew attacked him on Monday.
The reason for the ‘attack’ was not immediately known. Sources in the port and shipping industry said the incident occurred when Jala Vahini came close to the turning circle.
“For sometime we had anxious moments as there was danger to the life of the master of Jala Vahini. Later we intervened and gave temporary permission to berth the ship in OB-1. The vessel had come here from Colombo to load steel,” a port official said on condition of anonymity. He denied detaining the ship or arresting anyone.
According to sources in the police and Visakhapatnam Port Trust, the master of the ship was said to be suffering from some mental disorder. It was said that he forcibly entered the harbour from the breakwater region and wanted to ram the ship at the turning circle. The port authorities, who were alerted, intervened in time and used tugs to tow the vessel to OB 1 berth and secure it. The master of the vessel was taken into safe custody by the CISF and both Navy and CISF personnel boarded the vessel.
The agent of the vessel was Seaway Shipping. The owners were expected to arrive on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
