Since it is the first time that services of an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) are being provided through Mumbai Port on long-term basis, a function was organised on September 3, 2019 to launch the ETV. Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Shipping (Independent Charge), inaugurated the commencement of the ETV Water Lily, a project of the Directorate-General of Shipping, in association with Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), for a period of five years.
The occasion was also graced by Mr Sanjay Bhatia, IAS, Chairman, MbPT; Mr Amitabh Kumar, IRS, Director-General of Shipping, Mr Sanjay Bandopadhyay, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, and Mr Suresh Parekh of Polestar Maritime, among others.
Ocean-going tug as an ETV has been deployed to assist stricken vessels in inclement weather during the monsoon by the Directorate since 2011. In the past, ETVs have been deployed along the coast for the duration of the south-west monsoon every year.
This year the Directorate examined alternative methods to enable ETV services to be available throughout the year for a period of five years on long-term basis by co-opting port authorities. Accordingly, the ports of Mumbai and Chennai were identified for hiring of ocean-going tugs to be used as ETVs for a period of 5 years.
Mumbai Port Trust completed the tendering process and the contract was awarded to Polestar Maritime Ltd, Mumbai. The ocean-going tug/ETV, Water Lily, was deployed on August 15, 2019 at 0001 hours, said a release.
