Collision in the Port: Damaged Vessels Salvaged

Several boats belonging to the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) sustained damage following a collision in the port. On the afternoon of Sunday, September 22, the Sir Edouard, a tugboat operated by the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA), struck customs vessels that were moored at Quai E.

The incident prompted an immediate response from the National Coast Guard (NCG), which was dispatched to the scene.

On Tuesday, a recovery team from Immersub Company Ltd successfully salvaged three sunken vessels, which were then placed on a trailer and transported to the MRA headquarters.

Surveillance footage from the site of the wreckage was retrieved and reviewed by the IT Unit of the police.

Additionally, the tugboat’s logbook and the mobile phones of its crew have been secured for further examination.

The captain of the Sir Edouard, a 68-year-old man, explained that his tugboat experienced a malfunction in its engine automation system that led to the collision with the Quai des Mascareignes.

While maneuvering the vessel, he accidentally struck the customs boats.

The captain also noted that he has been employed by the MPA as a skipper for the past 25 years.

He stated that he had informed the port radio about the accident and had received authorization for the maneuver.

Following the incident, he underwent an alcohol test, which returned negative results.

After an assessment conducted on the same day, a customs officer reported that two of the boats were partially submerged, while the MRA’s Fast Interceptor Boat and Defender 04 sustained minor damage.

These vessels are typically deployed in MRA operations against drug trafficking and other illegal activities at sea. Fortunately, no oil spills were reported as a result of the collision.

Source: l’Express