This Article is From Nov 19, 2012

Passenger boat rams into INS Viraat, no casualties

Kochi: A Kerala state owned boat ferrying about 100 passengers rammed into aircraft carrier INS Viraat In Kochi, naval sources said on Monday.

 However, no one was injured and there was no damage to Viraat, which is in Kochi as a part of its periodic and scheduled maintenance, the sources said.

The incident occurred on Sunday as German cruise liner 'Celebrity Solistice', which had arrived to Kochi on Saturday with about 2800 tourists and 1250 crew, was about to embark on its journey to Port Klang, Malaysia.

The boat driver said he was unaware of the presence of the cruise liner, which also allegedly failed to sound a siren before starting its journey, Kerala State Water Transport Department sources said.
   
 It is suspected the boat got caught in waves generated by propellers of the liner and rammed into the naval vessel.

The boat was on its way to Ernakulam jetty from Fort Kochi.
   
Kerala State Water Transport Department has ordered an inquiry into the incident.


 
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