MSC ELSA 3 sinking: Probe points to total system failures behind Kerala maritime disaster

KOCHI : A preliminary investigation into the sinking of container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast last year has revealed a series of failures by the ship’s management and shore-based support systems, with investigators concluding that poor maintenance, defective equipment, inadequate training and weak safety oversight contributed to the disaster.

The findings are contained in an interim report submitted to the Kerala High Court by the central government on behalf of the Directorate General of Shipping while opposing the crew’s plea to return to their home countries.

The Court on Tuesday permitted three crew members of the vessel– the electro-technical engineer, a seaman and a motorman — to return to their home countries.

The report went into detail about the progressive system deficiencies and failures that resulted in the ship’s sinking, such as the failure of the ballast water system with integrated heeling correction, failure of the safety management system due to inadequate maintenance protocols, delayed spare parts supply, defective machinery and insufficient crew training among other factors.