Hi-tech search and rescue off-shore patrol vessel sailed away after hitting trawler
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PANJIM/VASCO: Even as the Coast Guard has admitted that its vessel ICGS Vaibhav had struck a trawler off the Canacona coast and has ordered a Board of Inquiry into the incident, Herald has learnt that Vaibhav was a brand new vessel specifically designed for “search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol” operations.
“The ship involved in the accident was our vessel ICGS Vaibhav. We have initiated a Board of Inquiry,” said Indian Coast Guard Goa Region Commander S D Bhanot, who was quoted in a PTI report.
Incidentally, the 90-metre class Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS Vaibhav, indigenously designed in-house and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), was handed over to the Indian Coast Guard barely on March 31. Sources told Herald that the ICGS Vaibhav was likely to be commissioned on May 11.
What makes the mid-sea collision surprising is the fact that ICGS Vaibhav is itself equipped with a global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) and is designed to carry an helicopter and five high-speed boats to carry out search and rescue operations.
Not only did the high-tech Vaibhav ~which has the most advanced state-of- the-art navigational and communication equipment ~fail to spot the trawler in sea, the search-and-rescue vessel was accused of failing to search and rescue the crew in distress after the trawler had capsized and had even allegedly sailed away after the incident.
The collision with the trawler had left one dead and five others were still missing at sea. 23 other crew members were rescued after the vessel capsized in the wee hours of Thursday.
According to a reliable source, the ICGS Vaibhav, which was likely to be commissioned on May 11, was brought to GSL for some minor repair work following the mid-sea collision.
“There was not much damage to the Coast Guard vessel, as only the paint on the front portion had been peeled off when it reportedly collided with the trawler,” the source said.
Bhanot, however, stated that no final date had been set for the commissioning of Vaibhav.
“May 11 was one of the tentative dates for the commissioning of ICGS Vaibhav and nothing was finalized as of now,” he told Herald.
At the time of handing over the ICGS Vaibhav to the Coast Guard, the GSL had described the ICGS Vaibhav as “equipped with most advanced state-of- the-art navigational and communication equipment, sensors and machineries. The special features include an integrated bridge system (IBS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS), power management system (PMS), high power external fire fighting system and an indigenous close range naval (CRN) 91 gun along with fire control system.”
“Propelled by twin diesel engines, the ICGS Vaibhav has an endurance of 4,500 nautical miles and attains a maximum speed of 26 knots. The vessel can stay at sea for 15 days without replenishment. The sustenance and reach coupled with most modern equipment and systems; provide the OPV with a capability to perform the role of a command platform,” stated the GSL, in a report on its website.
Meanwhile, search operations by the navy and Coast Guard for the second day had failed to locate the five missing crew members. A Coast Guard Dronier plane, a helicopter and more ships from Mumbai had joined the SAR (search and rescue) operations on Friday.
CM promises compensation
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that the government has spoken to the Coast Guard and they have said that a Board of Inquiry has been formed to inquire into the accident.
He however said that the would take up the matter further and promised that compensation would be paid to the families of the victims.
Confiscate ship: boat owners
MARGAO: Terming the attitude of the Coast Guard and its pilot as highly “irresponsible”, agitated boat owners on Friday demanded confiscation of the Coast Guard ship and the immediate arrest of the ship captain for the loss of lives and damage to the fishing vessel Sea Messiah on Thursday.
They have further demanded compensation to the boat owner Martin Fernandes and the kith and kin of the crew members either dead or missing.
Since the Coast Guard has promised to complete their inquiry within three days, the boat owners said they will chalk out their future course of action if their demands are not fulfilled by then.
