Engine failure leaves Ro-Ro ferry adrift off Kochi

An engine failure left a roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry adrift towards the open sea off Kochi on Tuesday evening, before a timely rescue operation brought its passengers and vehicles safely back to shore, according to a communication.

The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation-operated ferry, conducting service on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi route, developed a technical snag around 6 p.m. while on its way to Fort Kochi from Vypeen. With its engine rendered inoperative, the vessel drifted along the ship channel towards the sea, triggering concerns over the safety of those on board.

A major mishap was averted following the swift intervention of the Fisheries Marine Enforcement wing at Vypeen. A Fisheries patrol boat and the enforcement team pursued the drifting ferry, secured it with towing lines, and safely towed it back to the shore, the communication said.

The ferry was carrying nine cars, a traveller van, around 50 motorcycles, and nearly 50 passengers at the time of the incident. All those on board were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.