FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
Team Herald
VASCO: Demonstrating efficiency and rapid response in a daring rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (CGS) Sujeet towed the CSIR-NIO research vessel ‘Sindhu Sadhana’, which was in distress off Karwar and brought it to Mormugao harbour on Friday night. It also rescued the 36 crew including eight scientists on board the research vessel.
The ship had encountered an engine and total power failure, rendering it non-functional and at the mercy of the ocean currents. The distress signal was received at the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Goa on July 26, afternoon.
After entering the harbour, Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Deputy Conservator (Marine) Capt Manoj Joshi said, “I look at this operation as a perfect coordination because it was multi agency task involving DG (Shipping), MPA Coast Guard and NIO. It was a big asset worth Rs 700 crore with 36 lives on board and critical operation under the guidance of MPA Chairman Dr Vinodkumar although he was not in town. But he was in touch with me regularly and taking stock of the situation at every minute. You can take this as an example of perfect coordination. All the agencies did their job perfectly and brought the ship alongside. It also tested out strength as my two pilots, three tugs and VDS (visual distress signal) was pressed to safeguard the vessel.”
DIG Coast Guard District Headquarters, Goa, Arunabh Bose said, “I am extremely happy that we were able to do this operation successfully and almost 36 lives were involved. The vessel drifted 35 miles west off Karwar and 4,000 plus tonnage ship and with scientists onboard. As soon as we got information, ICG Sujeet which was the closet, was diverted and it steadied the vessel. The weather was extremely rough on that day and ship braved the rough conditions with wind gusting up to 45 knots. It was extremely challenging conditions in which the ship went there. We assured the crew and towed it up to Goa harbour, which was a Herculean task because tow line snaps at times. CG is there to protect all seafarers.”
Commanding Officer of ICGS Sujeet, DIG D Dinakaran said, “t was an opportunity for us to prove our mettle. Sea was very rough with wind speed almost 40 knots. It was not an easy task. We have been trained and experienced for such incidents. Our people fought against nature and achieved what we did today. We thank NIO for reposing their faith in Coast Guard.
Thanking the Coast Guard, Director of NIO Sunil Kumar Singh said, “We all were scared and stressed. The situation was critical as the ‘Sindhu Sadhana’ was equipped with valuable scientific instruments and carried crucial research data.”
