2 anglers rescued after 5-hr ordeal

2 anglers rescued after 5-hr ordeal
Third feared drowned at Canacona
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, JULY 16
One angler was feared drowned, while two others were rescued by the Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea near the Cabo-de-Rama fort at Khola-Canacona on Thursday.
Coast Guard helicopters rescued two anglers, Sudesh Shanta Velip and Guru Biva Velip, both 25 years, who were struggling in the Arabian Sea for nearly five hours, while the third person, Prakash Voddo Velip (23) of Matvemoll-Khola could not be traced till late Thursday evening.
Incidentally, the Coast Guard aircrew also had to rescue one of its crew, who fell into the sea when the rope snapped, while they were in the process of rescuing the second angler.
According to sources, Sudesh, Guru and Prakash along with about 10-12 other anglers from nearby areas went to their favourite fishing spot behind Cabo-de-Rama fort.
At about 11 am, a strong wave hit the rocks and the three youth were thrown into the sea.
While Sudesh and Guru managed to remain afloat, they were unable to climb back on the rocks.
Prakash was seen struggling in the water, but the rampaging waves hit him against the rocks and he disappeared into the sea.
Other panic-stricken anglers realized it was virtually impossible to bring any of them ashore and frantically contacted others for help. Krishna Velip, who resides in the area, then alerted the 108 ambulance service and the Canacona fire services.
Agonda Sarpanch Jovi Fernandes, who reached the site by sheer coincidence, contacted Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to seek his intervention in mobilizing the Coast Guard.
Kamat assured quick help and informed Fernandes that a Coast Guard helicopter would rush to the site.
In the meantime, fire brigade personnel reached the site at about 1 pm, but they proved to be mere spectators and watched Sudesh and Guru struggling helplessly in the rough sea.
Collector (South) G P Naik, Canacona Deputy Collector Shirodkar, Canacona Mamlatdar Vinayak Volvoikar and Cuncolim PI Sudesh Chodankar also rushed to the site, on hearing the news.
At about 2.25 pm, a Coast Guard helicopter reached the site, but rescue operations became perilous as the rough sea made it difficult even for the seasoned Coast Guard aircrew.
After lifting one youth on board the helicopter with great difficulty, ropes were lowered to bring the other struggling youth, who had fractured his hand during the fall. The rope, however snapped and one Coast Guard rescuer fell into the sea.
After a number of futile attempts, the Coast Guard helicopter reportedly left with the only one rescued youth, leaving the other youth and the rescuer in the sea.
Another Coast Guard helicopter reached the site at about 3.30 pm and first airlifted the Coast Guard rescuer, who was dangerously close to the rocks, before lifting the youth from the sea.
Sudesh and Guru were then moved to the Navy Hospital in Vasco, before being shifted to the GMC hospital at Bambolim for further treatment.
Meanwhile, both Canacona Deputy Collector Shirodkar and Canacona Mamlatdar Vinayak Volvoikar were camping at the site to oversee Coast Guard operations till late Thursday evening, as efforts were made to locate Prakash.