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In two crucial minutes, there was practically no communication The absence of pilots as one of the causes for the collision ruled out MUMBAI: “MSC MSC! Stop please! Stop Please!” This was the frantic message sent out by MV Khalijia III in the few moments before it collided with MSC Chitra, as recorded on the Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR) of MSC Chitra. What was Chitra's response? What were the instructions given by the port control? Why did Khalijia take a turn? These are some of the questions for which the investigators are trying to find an answer since the August 7 collision that set off an oil spill off the coast of Mumbai. Chitra has told the media that Khalijia took an unlikely turn in violation of navigational laws. As per its S-VDR, around 9.35 a.m. (4.05 GMT), Khalijia is heard saying: “This is Khalijia III. I am altering to port. You also alter to port.” It asks MSC to turn left. At this point, Chitra is at 18° 52.090' N latitude and 070° 50.297' East longitude. Khalijia is at 18° 5.530' N latitude and 72° 49.710' E longitude. “There were only 600 metres between us when it turned suddenly. It's a golden rule that alteration to port [turning left] is not allowed,” a Chitra representative said. Within two minutes of Khalijia's turn, the ships collided. In the two crucial minutes, there was practically no communication between the ships and the Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS), as per Chitra's S-VDR. The logs show that Khalijia relayed information about its change of course several times. It also expressed panic and spoke of a likely collision. However, there was no response or reaction whatsoever from either Chitra or the VTMS. On the other hand, Chitra's calls of, “Khalijia III, Khalijia III” elicit no answer. “VTS, I [have] collided with MSC!” are Khalijia's words right after the collision. “We have to look at S-VDR from Chitra, Khalijia, and the logs from VTMS to make a comment,” N.N. Kumar, chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, told The Hindu over telephone. Mr. Kumar said investigators had ruled out the absence of pilots as one of the causes for the collision. “The accident took place after Chitra's pilot had disembarked and before Khalijia's could board. Initially, experts had raised the issue, but now that has been ruled out.” He said the outbound Chitra had left the JNPT had crossed the JNPT channel to join the common channel, while Khalijia was entering the channel from anchorage. Officials pointed out that the accident took place despite Khalijia being guided by two escort tugs. “The Directorate-General of Shipping is inquiring into all aspects,” Rahul Asthana, Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust, said.
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