In yet another life-saving mission, the Indian Coast Guard has rescued eight crew members of a sinking vessel.
In yet another life-saving mission, the Indian Coast Guard has rescued eight crew members of a sinking vessel. The vessel was on a voyage from Porbandar to Beypore and suffered a crack in the engine room and started sinking. The Coast Guard was called for help and all crew members were rescued and brought to the city around 10 pm on Saturday, where they were declared fit by Coast Guard doctors.
Sources from the Coast Guard said the ship M.S.V. Sarojini, was carrying 430 ton of Soda Ash and there were eight crew members on board. Suddenly, it suffered a crack on the hull and the engine room started flooding. No sooner, the Captain rang the distress alert alarm and using VHF radio, sent distress alert to passerby vessels which was received by patrolling Coast Guard ship Samrat at about 6.45pm on Friday. Ship Samrat informed the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Mumbai as well as Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (West).
A vessel which was in the vicinity of 25km moved to help the sinking vessel. Sources said due to shallow waters, Coast Guard ships were finding it difficult to offer help to the sinking vessel. Later, at about 9 pm, rescue operations started and safety boats were dispatched, using which all eight crew members from Gujarat were evacuated.
Ship Samrat is now monitoring M.S.V. Sarojini and a safety message has been issued to mariners to avoid navigational hazard, out of fear that the ill-fated vessel may harm other vessels.
A top official from the Coast Guard said it was one of the most difficult rescue operations due to weather conditions and shallow water. Earlier on February 16 this year, Coast Guard personnel had rescued 78 pilgrims, including 38 women and children, crammed in a ferry whose engine got stalled after being sucked into a “mud patch” off the Mumbai coast.
