Coast Guard ship offers help in rescue operation

Indian Coast Guard  Ship Savitribai Phule (Mangaluru based ship), on Friday coordinated the rescue of all eight crew members of MSV Sumithra, which sank off the Androth Island in Lakshadweep.

A press release from Coast Guard Commander S S Dasila said that Coast Guard District Headquarters (Kavaratti) informed ICGS Savitribai Phule on MSV Sumithra with 240 metric tonnes of cargo consisting of bricks, cement and vegetables drifting 70 nautical miles East of Androth Island since December 13. The vessel had sailed from Beypore Port.

Immediately, the search and rescue operations were launched by ICGS Savitribai Phule and the ship headed towards the indicated position. Sea-air coordinated search was also undertaken with an Indian Navy aircraft in the area. The weather conditions were rough. MSV Sumithra sank due to engine failure, heavy winds and huge waves 30 nautical miles off Androth before it could be located by the ICG Ship.

All eight crew of MSV Sumithra were safely picked up by MT Gaschem Norsee, which was transiting from the area. ICGS Savitribai Phule rendezvoused with the Motor Tanker and took all eight crew members of MSV Sumithra onboard using Gemini (Boat) despite rough weather conditions and the dark. They were provided with medical assistance, food and water. All the crew members are stable. Thereafter, the ICG ship entered Androth Port and handed over the rescued crew of MSV Sumithra to the local administration on Saturday.

On completion of the rescue operation, Deputy Inspector S S Dasila, Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka said, "Enhanced operational efficiency and readiness maintained by our ships has resulted in the rescue of precious lives at sea. Effective sharing of information and coordination amongst various stakeholders is the key to any SAR (Search and Rescue) effort for fishermen in distress at sea. Units of ICG at sea are ever ready to produce corresponding results for safeguarding our maritime interests."