02 March,2011 06:43 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
One of Mumbai Police's four amphibious boats, bought at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, has been lying unused since November after its front wheel was dislodged in an accident
The Mumbai Police's ambitious plan of patrolling the city's coast with the use of the Sealegs amphibious assault boats received a setback yet again two months ago when one of the crafts was maimed.
The boat, bought at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, has been lying unused since the wheel on the boat's front leg, or strut, was dislodged in an accident.
The front wheel of the boat was dislodged in an accident during US President Barack Obama's visit in November. The leg, or strut, now rests on bricks at Girgaum Chowpatty
On November 11, MiD DAY had reported ('Flawed boats were used for Obama's security') how two of the four such boats owned by the police had developed engine trouble and stopped functioning as soon as they were deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty for US President Barack Obama's security.
Senior Police Inspector JJ Jadhav of Sagari police station, to which the Sealegs have been assigned, told MiD DAY that Sealegs III has been non-operational since November.
According to Jadhav, the four sealegs were marked for patrolling duties at Girgaum Chowpatty, Mahim, Juhu Chowpatty and Gorai.
All the Sealegs were deployed at Girgaum during President Obama's visit, and due to high tide, Sealegs III hit an iron lid and its front wheel was dislodged. He said numerous written complaints were made to the concerned authorities but there has been no progress on its repair.
"The department has tied up with the Goa Shipyard for major repairs, while minor repairs are taken acre of by mechanics attached to the motor transport department.
However, a lengthy procedure has to be followed before expecting some momentum and time is wasted. We have been waiting for a technician from Goa Shipyard for the last two months, but no one has come," said Jadhav.
Sources said that, even in the past, there have been instances of some of the Sealegs' tyres developing punctures, which take nearly 15 days to be repaired. Private mechanics have to be called, who charge extra.
Warranty issues
"Ironically, no spare tyres were procured with the boats. Had that been done, we could have just swapped tyres and then got the punctures repaired.
The Sealegs are perfect, but, unfortunately we do not have any trained mechanics to handle the problems in Mumbai.
We did not face any difficulties in the initial year as the craft were under warranty and the company would do proper servicing.
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The problems started when the warranty got over," explained a senior officer, who did not wished to be named.
"If so much money was being spent, the warranty should have been extended so that we could have had experts to handle problems," he added.
Rs 40 lakh
The price at which each of the four boats was procured from the New Zealand-based Sealegs International
About the boats
Acquired in 2009, the Sealegs are suited for conducting extensive patrolling of waterways. The boats are equipped for prolonged operational capability in hot and humid conditions when driving on land or when deployed in flood/rescue roles.
The Other Side
Repeated attempts to contact Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, PRO, Goa Shipyard, proved futile.
