Amid fog, coxswain safelands ferry carrying ambulance

Panaji: In a remarkable display of skill and quick decision-making, the coxswain of the Shivneri ferry, Laxmikant Paddekar, managed to safely navigate a ferry boat on the Ribandar-Chorao route to the Ribandar ramp despite challenging conditions.The vessel was initially delayed due to heavy fog at 6.40am, which rendered the usual ramps virtually invisible. An ambulance was on board with a critically-ill patient, intensifying the urgency of the situation.“The sailor saw that the patient was a senior citizen and was in desperate need of getting to a hospital. He alerted me, and I decided to call the higher-ups and start the ferry,” Paddekar told TOI.The staff constantly kept watch to ensure that no barges or fishing trawlers were in immediate sight.“After assessing the conditions, the coxswain sought permission to take a calculated risk and attempt a manoeuvre,” said director of river navigation, Vikramsinh Rajebhosale.They had to fight the fog as well as the current, owing to which the ferry travelled slowly towards its destination. Due to zero visibility, they also constantly blew the horn to ensure that they didn’t collide with other vessels.Upon approaching the destination, Paddekar first steered the ferry cautiously towards the ramp but quickly altered course and, with expert navigation, guided it safely to the Ribandar ramp.

The patient was successfully taken to the hospital, marking a successful and timely resolution to a potentially dire situation. “The coxswain’s experience and calm under pressure were instrumental in ensuring both safety and swift action,” said Rajebhosale.Paddekar, who has been working with RND for 18 years, credited the entire team for the mission’s success—machinist Rohan Naik and sailors Atish Naik and Rupesh Priolkar.