Barge sinks off Aguada coast
One feared drowned, six rescued
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, FEB 21
A 24-year-old crew member of the barge MV Noor IV was feared drowned while six sailors were rescued, after the barge sank off the Aguada-Sinquerim coast on Sunday midnight.
Incidentally, this was the second mishap involving the MV Noor IV in barely two years, after it had capsized in the Mormugao port.
According to reports, the incident took place late Sunday night when the barge was transferring ore from its hull to a trans-shipper Vigor off the Aguada-Sinquerim coast.
The seven-member crew fell into the sea and the crew on board the trans-shipper quickly made efforts to rescue the seven persons from the sea.
When contacted, Coastal Police Inspector Anthony Monserrate told Herald that six crew, comprising Abdul Qazi (captain), Swapan Sardar (driver), Brindas Singh (Sukhani), Amit Hussain Mullah, Hari Om Singh and Dabesh Mandal, all sailors, managed to climb the ladder of the Vigor.
“Oilman Gauranga Mondal (24) tried to climb the ladder, but was unsuccessful in his attempt,” said Monserrate.
Vasco reporter adds: The barge that capsized off Sinquerim on Monday had sunk at berth No 9 of the Mormugao Port Trust about two years ago.
The ore-laden barge M V Noor IV had capsized due to rough weather and the seven-member crew had had a miraculous escape.
The crew was safely evacuated before the barge sank, but property worth about Rs 2.3 crore was reportedly destroyed in the mishap.
The barge, which was carrying 1, 080 tonnes of iron ore from Kotambi-Sanvordem, had come at Moraine Dolphin at MPT to unload the ore.
“Later, the barge was salvaged and had undergone major repair work of the engine, besides replacing bottom iron plates,” informed a mechanic from Vasco, who was working at barge repair yard at Sancoale.
The barge was affiliated with Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) and GBOA President Atul Jadhav said that the incident was unfortunate, as they had lost one crew member in the mishap.
Meanwhile, the Captain of Ports Department issued a notice to all marine traffic in the area, alerting them of the sinking of the barge at the Panjim outer anchorage.
“All owners/masters of barges, passengers, launches, ferry boats, tindels of fishing trawlers and operators in the said locality are advised to keep sharp lookout and stay clear from the sunken barge, while navigating in the area.
All mariners are therefore advised to take note of the same and navigate with extreme caution and report any eventuality in the area,” states the CoP note.
