A mechanised boat carrying 34 passengers and four crew members broke down in the Arabian Sea off the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Friday, triggering a swift rescue operation by the city's maritime agencies. The vessel, a popular mode of transport for tourists visiting the nearby Elephanta Caves and other harbour landmarks, reportedly suffered engine failure shortly after departing the jetty, leaving it adrift in busy coastal waters.
Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) launched a coordinated response after being alerted to the distress call. Patrol vessels were dispatched to the spot and all 38 people on board — including women and elderly passengers — were evacuated and brought back to the jetty at the Gateway of India without any reported injuries.
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The Gateway of India, built during the British era to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911, serves as the main departure point for ferry services to Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for leisure cruises along the Mumbai harbour. The area sees heavy footfall of domestic and international tourists, particularly during the monsoon months when sea conditions remain unpredictable.
Preliminary inquiries suggest technical failure of the engine as the primary cause of the breakdown. Authorities have initiated an inspection of the vessel and are expected to question the operator to determine whether safety protocols, including the mandatory presence of life jackets and backup engines, were followed. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of passenger boat operations in Mumbai following earlier accidents in the region, where monsoon-related rough seas and mechanical issues have periodically disrupted ferry services.
