Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday felicitated Arif Bamane who rescued around 35 passengers following the collision of a Navy speedboat with a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast that resulted in the death of 15 people.
In a post on X, the party informed about the felicitations. The post also contains photographs of Thackeray with Arif.
“Arif Bamane, who showed bravery in saving the lives of 35 passengers in the Nilkamal boat accident, was honoured by party chief Hon. Uddhavsaheb Thackeray. Shiv Sena leader MP Arvind Sawant, Secretary MLA Milind Narvekar and Deputy Leader MLA Manoj Jamsutkar were present on this occasion,” said the party.
The tragic maritime accident occurred on December 18 near Mumbai when an Indian Navy boat collided with the passenger ferry Neelkamal causing it to capsize. The ferry was headed to the Elephanta Caves from Gateway of India. A total of 101 people were rescued.
According to reports, on receiving a distress call, Arif and his team rushed to the accident site, traversing a distance typically covered in 18–20 minutes in just eight minutes. Describing the horrific scene to reporters, Arif said, “It was devastating. People were crying for help, some floating on the waves, while others struggled to stay afloat without life jackets. I saw a little girl lying motionless, with her lungs filled with water. I also rescued a newborn who wasn’t breathing and revived him by hanging him upside down.”
Arif, aboard his boat Porwa, a pilot vessel used to assist larger ships in anchoring, led his team in pulling people out of the treacherous waves. While many at the Gateway of India stood as helpless spectators, praying for the victims, Arif jumped into action. His priority was the vulnerable — children and women — whom he dragged to safety, calmed with reassuring words, and provided them with life jackets.