Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray has honoured Arif Bamne for his heroic efforts in rescuing 35 individuals after a tragic maritime accident involving a Navy speedboat and the passenger ferry Neelkamal off the Mumbai coast. The collision resulted in the loss of 13 lives.
Sharing the news on X, the party stated, “Arif Bamne, who displayed extraordinary courage in saving 35 passengers during the Neelkamal boat accident, was felicitated by party Chief Uddhav Thackeray. The event was attended by Shiv Sena leader MP Arvind Sawant, Secretary MLA Milind Narvekar, and Deputy Leader MLA Manoj Jamsutkar.”
The devastating accident occurred on December 18, near Mumbai, when an Indian Navy boat collided with the Neelkamal, causing it to capsize en route from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Caves. While 101 people were rescued, 13 tragically lost their lives.
Arif Bamne, the boatmaster of the Purva vessel, emerged as a true hero. His boat was in the vicinity at the time of the disaster. Without hesitation, Arif dove into the ocean and, alongside his team, managed to save at least 35 people. The rescued individuals were safely transferred to the Vasudev ferry with assistance from a pilot boat. In one particularly remarkable rescue, Arif saved an unconscious three-and-a-half-year-old child.
