On 25th Augr:st 2024, the vessel ITT Puma, owned by M/s. ITT Shipping (Private) Limited and registered in Kolkata, tragically sank during its voyage from Kolkata to Port Blair at approximately 78 nautical miles southeast of Sagar Island. The incident resulted in the disappearance of three crew members, including the Master and the Chief Officer of the vessel.
Company has been denied renewal of DOC under ISM due multiple Major NC and NC as company failed to address the Major NCs and Ncs in effective manner.
The salient finding of the preliminary inquires noted were
a) The company employed a 74-year-old Master without conducting the required medical examination. as per statutory provisions.
b) The company loaded wet sand in bulk without adhering to the necessary precautions mandated under the IMSBC Code.
c) Cargo was not properly stowed and secured in accordance with the approved Cargo Securing Manual, and the company was unable to produce a valid copy of the manual.
d) The company failed to ensure the accurate calculation of the vessel’s stability prior to departure. There was a significant mismatch between the cargo quantity stated in the Cargo Manifest and the Departure Stability Calculation Report.
e) The company neglected to ensure the proper securing of containers loaded on deck, resulting in containers drifting and floating off the vessel at the time of sinking.
Furthermore, the inquiry revealed that M/s. ITT Shipping (Private) Limited had disregarded the age norms order issued by the Directorate General of Shipping and continued to operate ships older than 40 years without taking the requisite safeguards.
Upon a thorough review of the PI report and considering the company’s continued operation of similarly aged vessels under its technical management, which present similar risks, a Show Cause Notice was issued on 3rd January 2025 by the Directorate General of Shipping. However TT Shipping moved to Kolkata Hight Court and filed a writ petition against the so Couse notice than responding to the SC notice.
Later TT Shipping applied for DOC renewal was refused to multiple violation of statutory requirements. The company has history of multiple serious accidents relating their owned/managed vessel.
View DGS Speaking order issue on this subject