Tug Failure Sparks Emergency Off Alang Coast: Raises Questions Over Aging Vessels
Alang, April 29 — A potentially disastrous maritime incident was narrowly averted off the coast of Alang on Monday afternoon, when a 45-year-old tugboat named Bazalt, en route to the Alang Ship Recycling Yard with a dead vessel in tow, suffered engine failure amid strong sea currents. The subsequent anchor failure and detachment of the towed vessel set off an emergency response that involved the rapid deployment of three private rescue tugs to stabilise the situation.
The Bazalt was towing the decommissioned vessel Starlet, which was being brought to the Alang yard for dismantling. The trouble began when Bazalt‘s main engine stalled as the vessel was navigating the treacherous tidal currents prevalent in the region during this time of year. To prevent uncontrolled drifting, the crew dropped anchor. However, the anchor failed under pressure from the heavy current, rendering the tug helpless against the sea’s force.
Complicating matters further, the wire rope securing the Starlet to the tug snapped. Both vessels, now unmoored and unpowered, began drifting in different directions, posing a serious threat to nearby shipping traffic in the busy waters near Bhavnagar anchorage, which serves as a key maritime zone for cargo vessels travelling to and from Dahej and Hazira.
With both vessels adrift and vulnerable, the potential for collision with commercial ships or each other loomed large. In response to the escalating risk, the Bhavnagar Port Authority swiftly coordinated an emergency rescue operation. Three private tugs—Essar-4, Explorer, and Sagar—were dispatched to the scene.
Captain Rakesh Mishra, the Bhavnagar Port Officer, confirmed the details of the incident and praised the rapid response. “Our immediate priority was to prevent any collision in this high-traffic zone. The private tugs were able to quickly take control of the situation. The Bazalt was stabilised and anchored near Ghogha using its secondary anchor, while the three tugs secured the Starlet and guided it safely,” he said.
While the emergency response was effective in preventing a maritime disaster, the incident has spotlighted a deeper and more troubling issue—the use of aging vessels in active maritime operations, despite clear regulatory bans.
According to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) regulations, ships older than 25 years are prohibited from participating in cargo and transportation operations at any of the state’s ports. The directive, detailed in circular GMB/MD/146/1391 dated February 27, 2018, was designed to improve maritime safety and reduce the environmental and mechanical risks associated with aging vessels.
Bazalt, built in 1980, is now 45 years old—well beyond the age limit set by the GMB. The fact that it was still operational and engaged in towing duties raises serious questions about regulatory oversight and compliance. Was special permission granted for this operation? If so, who authorised it? Or was this a case of regulatory evasion or even potential corruption?
A maritime safety analyst based in Gandhinagar, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “This incident could have ended very badly. Using such old tugs in these strong tidal regions is reckless. The rules are in place for a reason. There must be an investigation into how this tug was allowed to operate.”
Calls for an inquiry are mounting, not just into the Bazalt’s condition but also into the process by which aging vessels are still being utilized, sometimes with apparent impunity. Industry insiders suspect that either regulatory loopholes or willful negligence may be at play.
For Alang, one of the world’s largest shipbreaking yards, such incidents could have broader implications. The yard sees the arrival of numerous dead ships each month, many of them towed by private contractors. Ensuring the seaworthiness of these tugs is critical, especially in the face of increasing scrutiny over environmental and maritime safety standards.
As for the Bazalt and Starlet, both are now secured, and no injuries or environmental damage have been reported. However, the incident has stirred fresh debate over maritime enforcement in Gujarat and the lingering risks posed by obsolete ships operating under questionable conditions.
The Gujarat Maritime Board has not yet released an official statement addressing the apparent breach of its 2018 circular, but maritime authorities are expected to launch a formal inquiry in the coming days. For now, the incident stands as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed when maritime regulations are overlooked—and the importance of swift action when the sea turns unpredictable.
