The Indian Navy's guided missile frigate, INS Brahmaputra, is currently listing at a 40-45 degree angle on its port side at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The listing occurred after a fire broke out onboard the ship on July 21st, resulting in the tragic death of one sailor.
Defence officials believe the listing was likely caused by an imbalance due to the water used in firefighting efforts. While the ship has not completely capsized like the INS Betwa in 2016, it is estimated that it will take 2-3 months to get the Brahmaputra upright and stable again, pending necessary approvals.
The incident occurred while the Brahmaputra was undergoing a refit. Fortunately, there hasn't been significant water ingress due to the angle of the listing. Preliminary assessments to determine the best course of action for righting the ship are expected to be conducted soon.
Officials have stated that the damage to the Brahmaputra is not as extensive as the damage the Betwa sustained in a similar incident in 2016. Once the ship is upright, the Navy will conduct a thorough evaluation of the damage and determine the necessary repairs to restore its operational capabilities.
In the case of the Betwa, which had fallen 90 degrees to one side, global salvage firms were involved in the recovery efforts. It is possible that similar expertise will be sought to assist with the Brahmaputra.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited the dockyard on July 23rd to assess the situation and review the mitigation efforts underway. He was also briefed on the plans to recover the ship and expedite repairs to restore its functionality.
This incident raises concerns about the safety of ships undergoing refits at the Naval Dockyard. However, officials have emphasized that every effort is being made to minimize damage and ensure the swift recovery of the INS Brahmaputra.
