KOCHI: A stroll through the alleys of the six-deck ship with her zealous crew guarding it excites your senses. The sophisticated luxury and the hospitality it provides turns her a beauty to behold. The fully-air conditioned comfort and explorations into her interiors make us oblivious to the scorching sun outside.
Welcome to MV Kavaratti, the all-weather passenger ship built for the Lakshadweep Islands, which was opened to the public in Kochi for a day on Wednesday.
The ship, which has a capacity to carry 700 passengers cum 200 ton cargo, was docked at the BTP (boat-train-pier) berth of Cochin Port as part of the National Maritime Day celebrations.
The day is celebrated to mark the navigation history created on April 5, 1919 when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company, journeyed to the United Kingdom, a crucial step for India’s shipping history when sea routes were controlled by the British.
The public was allowed entry into the ship’s beautiful interiors, including the 152-seat cafeteria, recreation rooms, helipad, doctor at call, swimming pool and multiple class berths.
MV Kavaratti was launched in August 2008, dedicating herself to the people of Lakshadweep. “We are happy to host the guests who visited us. We hope they also enjoyed visiting us,” said the captain, Sethumathavan.
Saif Ali, officer on board, said the Rs 173-crore ship built by the Hindustan Shipyard having 12-knot speed, had taken part in major operations like the Yemen rescue mission. Two vessels belonging to the Lakshadweep administration, MV Kavaratti and MV Corals, with a total capacity of 1,500 passengers were dispatched to Aden to evacuate Indians stuck in Yemen during the 2015 military intervention of the Arab country. Have a glimpse of MV Kavaratty, and you’ll dream the Titanic.