A major tragedy was narrowly averted at the Bhavnagar Anchorage Point near Alang on Thursday morning when a prominent shipbreaker fell into the sea while attempting to board a newly arrived vessel. Hirenbhai Shah, alias Raju, owner of Kathiawad Steels (Plot No. 86), survived a harrowing 12 minutes amidst two-meter-high waves before being successfully rescued.
The incident comes at a time when the Alang Ship Recycling Yard has been facing a severe dry spell, with a noticeable shortage of vessels over the past month. The arrival of the vessel M.T. On Victor, purchased by Dalkan Ship Breakers (Plot No. 56), was supposed to mark a return to activity, but it was instantly marred by the near-fatal accident.
According to sources, a delegation consisting of customs officials and shipbreakers had departed from Ghogha aboard the tug Maya-22 to conduct the mandatory boarding and inspection formalities at the Bhavnagar Anchorage Point.
At around 10:15 AM, the tug pulled up alongside the massive vessel, and an aluminum pilot ladder was lowered. As Shah attempted to step off the tug and climb the ladder, a sudden, powerful swell caused the tug to drift away abruptly. Shah was left dangling by his hands from the ladder’s handles, suspended between the two shifting vessels.
Before the crew could pull him up, Shah lost his grip and plunged into the turbulent sea. Witnesses noted that the heavy current, which initially caused the accident, ironically saved his life by pushing the tug further away, preventing him from being crushed between the two hull structures.
A tense 12-minute rescue operation ensued. Crew members from both the ship and the tug deployed immediate emergency protocols, throwing lifebuoys into the water. Keeping his composure, Shah managed to swim toward and grab one of the buoys, allowing the tug to maneuver close enough to pull him aboard safely.
While the industrialist escaped without major injury, the incident has once again trained the spotlight on maritime safety protocols during anchorage boardings. The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has initiated a thorough investigation into the lapse, and a detailed report is expected to be submitted to the GMB headquarters soon.
“I cut the rope and threw the buoy immediately”
“The tug was securely tied to the ship with a rope, and the boarding process was underway. The moment Hirenbhai lifted his feet
to step onto the ship’s ladder, a heavy current violently pushed the tug away. He was left hanging on the ladder before falling into the water. Recognizing the immediate danger of him getting crushed, I informed the ship’s crew, cut the tug’s mooring rope to clear the area, and threw a lifebuoy in the direction the current was taking him. We then carefully maneuvered the tug toward him and pulled him out.”
to step onto the ship’s ladder, a heavy current violently pushed the tug away. He was left hanging on the ladder before falling into the water. Recognizing the immediate danger of him getting crushed, I informed the ship’s crew, cut the tug’s mooring rope to clear the area, and threw a lifebuoy in the direction the current was taking him. We then carefully maneuvered the tug toward him and pulled him out.”— Anil Yadav, Master, Tug Maya-22
“I did not panic even for a single moment. While I was transitioning from the tug to the ladder, the boat shifted due to the heavy 
current and I was left dangling. Eventually, my grip failed and I fell into the sea. I knew my survival depended on staying calm, so I focused entirely on floating amidst the waves. When the crew threw the lifebuoys, I managed to swim to one, hold on, and wait for the tug to safely navigate back to rescue me.”
current and I was left dangling. Eventually, my grip failed and I fell into the sea. I knew my survival depended on staying calm, so I focused entirely on floating amidst the waves. When the crew threw the lifebuoys, I managed to swim to one, hold on, and wait for the tug to safely navigate back to rescue me.”— Hirenbhai Shah, Kathiawad Steels
Mandatory Safety Belts Tethered to Ropes Needed
Experts and industry insiders are calling for stricter boarding protocols following Thursday’s mishap. It is being strongly recommended that while boarding ships from a tug at anchorage, the use of a safety belt tethered to a secure rope from the ship must be made mandatory, alongside standard life jackets. Industry stakeholders emphasize that sufficient quantities of certified tethered safety belts and life jackets must be verified and deployed before any boarding party is allowed near the anchorage point.
