The Japanese product tanker ‘Orange Victoria’ is under investigation at Kochi Port, India, suspect in a hit and run incident off Kochi.
Suspicions are the UK-flagged ship, with 23 crew members onboard, hit the fiberglass fishing boat ‘Achu’ in the night hours of 18 March, while underway from Singapore to India. The fishing vessel sustained damage but there were no injuries to its six crew members.
Shortly after, the ship was seized by Indian authorities, who conducted an inspection on Saturday morning. Initial estimates, after checking AIS as well as paint on this part, suggest there have been signs of involvement in the incident, according to local media reports.
The ship’s Captain told the Coastal Police that they were not aware that the ship had collided with the boat.
The team of experts will also collect the paint on the boat for lab testing, Kaumudi reported.
