Kochi youth, missing in Mozambique boat tragedy, followed dad's path, left for shipping job together

Kochi: For Indrajith Santhosh, a 22-year-old youth from Veliyanad in Piravom, the sea was not a mystery but a familiar presence. His father, KN Santhosh, has worked in ship maintenance for nearly a decade. Indrajith drew his inspiration from his father. After completing his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, he chose the same line of work; inspecting ships and ensuring they were safe to sail.

On Thursday, tragedy struck far from home. Indrajith went missing after a launch boat capsized near the Beira port in Mozambique, where he was headed to inspect a tanker, MT Sea Quest, anchored offshore.

Three days ago, both father and son were at Kochi International Airport, each leaving for separate assignments in Africa. While Santhosh flew to South Africa, Indrajith, along with his colleague Akash from Konni, went to Mozambique. 

Indrajith, who works for Aries Marine & Engineering Services, Kochi, was travelling for work arranged through Scorpio Maritime Management India Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based shipping company. After reaching Mozambique that evening, he messaged his mother, Sheena, saying he had landed safely and was travelling to the Beira port to board a boat. “He said he would call after finishing the work. But that was the last time we heard from him,” said his cousin Akhil PS.

According to Akash, who miraculously survived, the launch boat carrying 21 people, including 14 Indian nationals, was caught in rough weather early on Thursday around 3 am as it neared the ship for crew transfer. Strong waves overturned the vessel, throwing everyone into the sea.

“Akash is still in shock and doesn’t clearly remember how he was rescued. He spoke to us from the ship via internet call after being rescued. He was thrown into the waters during the accident while Indrajith and few others got trapped inside the boat cabin,” said Sugunan,Indrajith’s uncle.

The Indian High Commission in Mozambique confirmed that three Indian nationals have died, while five others have been rescued. Six people, including Indrajith remain missing, and are suspected to be trapped inside the sunken boat, which has now been located deep in the sea. 

Rescue operations were affected on Friday due to rough conditions, but divers are preparing to dive today to search the wreckage. 

Indrajith joined the company nine months ago and had already completed over 20 hull inspections, including assignments in Turkey. As a hull inspector, his job involved checking the ship’s outer structure - the hull - for cracks or corrosion and certifying it for safety. 

“He was very passionate about his work and was happy doing what he loved. We met on Wednesday before he went to the airport,” said Akhil, who lives close to Indrajit's house.

Indrajith’s father, Santhosh, currently in South Africa, is making arrangements to return to Kerala. At Veliyanad, his mother Sheena and two younger brothers wait anxiously, staying in touch with company representatives for updates. “He said it was a short, one-week job. None of us imagined something like this could happen,” Akhil said. 

Meanwhile, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden has written to the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Mozambique, requesting urgent intervention to strengthen the ongoing rescue operations.