Protect Navy’s Reputation

December 4, celebrated as Navy Day, marks the Indian Navy’s decisive role in the 1971 war when its boats and ships sank four Pakistani vessels, including PNS Khaibar, under Operation Trident, hastening Pakistan’s surrender.

This moment of maritime glory, however, contrasts sharply with recent incidents that put the Navy’s operational standards under scrutiny. On Wednesday, a naval rigid inflatable boat (RIB) rammed into the passenger ferry Neelkamal, carrying about 100 tourists near the Elephanta Caves, off Mumbai’s Gateway of India. The collision claimed 13 lives, including Navy personnel. Reports suggest the tragedy was entirely avoidable, with eyewitnesses alleging that a Navy crew member was showing off his skills to impress women aboard the ferry. Naval authorities, on the other hand, attribute the accident to an engine malfunction during a trial. Either way, recklessness and negligence are evident. Testing a vessel with technical issues in a crowded area is inexcusable and raises serious questions about the Navy’s safety protocols.

This is not an isolated incident. Merely four weeks ago, a submarine collided with a fishing boat off the Goa coast, causing significant damage, reportedly amounting to over Rs 10 crore. Two fishermen also went missing. Submarines are equipped with advanced long-range radars to detect surrounding vessels, yet it failed to notice a fishing boat with basic equipment. Such lapses undermine confidence in the Navy’s technological capabilities, especially in a country that prides itself on developing nuclear weapons deployable from submarines. Both cases highlight a common denominator: the non-application of safety norms. These incidents suggest a troubling pattern of oversight and call into question the Navy’s commitment to operational discipline and public safety. The Navy has announced an investigation into Wednesday’s accident, but this must go beyond routine inquiries. An overhaul of safety protocols is imperative, and accountability must be enforced. Fixing responsibility for these lapses is not just about assigning blame; it is about ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated.

Heads must roll if necessary, and the Navy must embrace systemic reform, from top to bottom. The collapse of the Navy-approved Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra within ten months of its erection further underscores the need for introspection. Celebrating Navy Week should not just commemorate past achievements but also serve as a reminder of the Navy’s duty to safeguard its citizens and maintain the highest standards of professionalism. Let there be no alibis—only action.