<p>Amid strong gale winds, extremely choppy sea state and near-zero visibility, the Navy continued its biggest-ever Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India looking for 90-plus missing crew and oil industry workers.</p>.<p>As Cyclone Tauktae moved form Goa to Gujarat, it badly hit the Mumbai High offshore development area, off the Maharashtra coast.</p>.<p>The operation that was launched post-noon on Monday continued into Tuesday.</p>.<p>The Indian Navy is being assisted by units of the Indian Coast Guard and ONGC, the public sector oil exploration company.</p>.<p>The worst hit was Barge Papaa-305, an accomodation barge anchored off the Heera oilfield, that sank on Monday night after unmooring. A total of 273 persons were on board the vessel, of which 180 persons have been rescued.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/cyclone-tauktae-leaves-11-dead-in-maharashtra-987305.html" target="_blank">Cyclone Tauktae leaves 11 dead in Maharashtra</a></strong></p>.<p>The SAR for 90 possible survivors is still underway and will continue over Wednesday.</p>.<p>"This is one of the most difficult operations that I had seen in my four decades of career...weather and sea does not spare anyone," said Vice Admiral MS Pawar, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.</p>.<p>During the day, INS Beas and INS Betwa and INS Teg joined INS Kochi and Kolkata for undertaking SAR nearly 35 to 40 nautical miles from Mumbai.</p>.<p>The SAR has also been augmented with P8I and naval helicopters Sea King, which continue to undertake aerial search in the area.</p>.<p>In another operation, 137 persons on board Barge GAL Constructor, which ran aground north of Mumbai, were rescued.</p>.<p>CGS Sangram remains in the vicinity of the vessel - and choppers of IN and ICG brought the stranded people to INS Shikra in Mumbai and CGAS Daman.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, OSV’s Samudra Sevak and SV Cheel are connected to manoeuvre Sagar Bhushan, and the situation at present appears to be stable.</p>.<p>SAR efforts are also in progress off the coast of Gujarat for three vessels namely Support Station 3, Great Ship Aditi and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, which are 15-20 nautical miles south-east off Pipavav.</p>.<p>INS Talwar has reached the vicinity and coordinating efforts.</p>.<p>The Western Naval Command, in coordination with ONGC and Directorate General of Shipping, has diverted five tugs to render assistance. </p>.<p>Great Ship Aditi and Support Station 3 have been able to drop anchor.</p>.<p>The sea continues to be extremely rough with sea state 4-5 and winds 25-30 knots (approx 35 - 55 kmph), posing a challenge to the ships and aircraft involved in SAR operations.</p>
<p>Amid strong gale winds, extremely choppy sea state and near-zero visibility, the Navy continued its biggest-ever Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India looking for 90-plus missing crew and oil industry workers.</p>.<p>As Cyclone Tauktae moved form Goa to Gujarat, it badly hit the Mumbai High offshore development area, off the Maharashtra coast.</p>.<p>The operation that was launched post-noon on Monday continued into Tuesday.</p>.<p>The Indian Navy is being assisted by units of the Indian Coast Guard and ONGC, the public sector oil exploration company.</p>.<p>The worst hit was Barge Papaa-305, an accomodation barge anchored off the Heera oilfield, that sank on Monday night after unmooring. A total of 273 persons were on board the vessel, of which 180 persons have been rescued.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/cyclone-tauktae-leaves-11-dead-in-maharashtra-987305.html" target="_blank">Cyclone Tauktae leaves 11 dead in Maharashtra</a></strong></p>.<p>The SAR for 90 possible survivors is still underway and will continue over Wednesday.</p>.<p>"This is one of the most difficult operations that I had seen in my four decades of career...weather and sea does not spare anyone," said Vice Admiral MS Pawar, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.</p>.<p>During the day, INS Beas and INS Betwa and INS Teg joined INS Kochi and Kolkata for undertaking SAR nearly 35 to 40 nautical miles from Mumbai.</p>.<p>The SAR has also been augmented with P8I and naval helicopters Sea King, which continue to undertake aerial search in the area.</p>.<p>In another operation, 137 persons on board Barge GAL Constructor, which ran aground north of Mumbai, were rescued.</p>.<p>CGS Sangram remains in the vicinity of the vessel - and choppers of IN and ICG brought the stranded people to INS Shikra in Mumbai and CGAS Daman.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, OSV’s Samudra Sevak and SV Cheel are connected to manoeuvre Sagar Bhushan, and the situation at present appears to be stable.</p>.<p>SAR efforts are also in progress off the coast of Gujarat for three vessels namely Support Station 3, Great Ship Aditi and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, which are 15-20 nautical miles south-east off Pipavav.</p>.<p>INS Talwar has reached the vicinity and coordinating efforts.</p>.<p>The Western Naval Command, in coordination with ONGC and Directorate General of Shipping, has diverted five tugs to render assistance. </p>.<p>Great Ship Aditi and Support Station 3 have been able to drop anchor.</p>.<p>The sea continues to be extremely rough with sea state 4-5 and winds 25-30 knots (approx 35 - 55 kmph), posing a challenge to the ships and aircraft involved in SAR operations.</p>
