VASCO: The officials onboard Indian Coast Guard ship “Samarth” rescued two South African nationals from a distressed yacht – Louise near Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep on Friday.
Both were safely brought to Coast Guard Headquarters (Goa Unit) in Mormugao on Monday.
Providing details of the rescue operation, Coast Guard DIG Manoj Baadkar said, “The French-made sail yacht was on its maiden voyage from Port Victoria (Seychelles) to Abu Dhabi (UAE). The yacht was chartered and the crew was taking indirect route via Kavaratti Island to avoid the pirates.”
“During the passage it encountered rough weather, total power, engine failure and was drifting near Kavaratti Island. Due to strong winds measuring over 100 kmph and heavy swelling in the sea, both crew members onboard feared for their lives. At same time (On August 3 2017), the CG district headquarters at Kavaratti received a message from local police regarding sighting of an adrift sail yacht off Kavaratti. Immediately CG ship Samarth patrolling in area was diverted to investigate,” Baadkar said.
He said, “Braving rough seas and strong winds Indian Coast Guard ship Samarth located the sail yacht at about 1.30 am on August 4 about 25 kms south east of Kavaratti Island. The yacht had no communication and propulsion due to total power failure. Efforts to take the yacht under tow also proved futile due to heavy sea. With great difficulties we managed to rescue both crew members. We attempted to salvage the small yacht (38 feet long), which did not have heavy points for towing and hence in rough sea conditions it capsized.”
The rescued master Gavin Stephen (25) and Marnu Christoff (21) are in good health. The yacht owner – Gregory Pecker residing at Abu Dhabi, has been contacted and told to arrange various formalities for their safe departure to their country. The ship entered Goa on Monday and preliminary investigations are in progress along with IB, immigration and other officials” Baadkar informed.
Samarth Commandant Deepak Kumar, said, ” The wind and tide was very high due to which the rescue operations were a bit tough. Our priority was to rescue the crew which we successfully did.”
