ICG Rescues 20 from MV Jindal Kamakshi

 

At about 2300 hrs on 21 Jun 15 a container merchant vessel “Jindal Kamakshi” sent a distress alert. The vessel was on passage from Mundra to Kochi with 20 crew members onboard. The vessel was about 35 kms from the nearest coast and 75 kms from Mumbai. The distress was received by Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Mumbai).MRCC (MBI) immediately contacted the master of the vessel.

For ascertaining the emergency onboard. MRCC (MBI) also coordinated with other merchant mariners in the vicinity MV SCI, Samudra Prabha, MV Seamac 1 and MV Kamat to render assistance to the distress vessel. In addition, the other Coast Guard ships were also alerted to provide assistance. The vessel under distress was listing 20 deg but the list was subsequently reduced to 10 deg. However, at morning 0414 AM on 22 Jun 15, the vessel requested MRCC (MBI) for evacuation of crew in light of the inclement weather conditions.

2    As the weather conditions were unsuitable for rescue by ships,   Indian Coast Guard being National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA),launched Chetak helicopters from Daman and Mumbai. In addition, Coast Guard requested Indian Navy to launch a Sea King helicopter for assistance as the weather in area was bad.

3.    A total of 19 crew members were winched up by the SeaKing in a coordinated rescue operation with Coast Guard helicopter ex Daman, standing by in the area. The Master of the stranded ship was rescued by the Coast Guard Chetak helicopter ex Mumbai.

4.    The rescue operation was coordinated extremely well by Coast Guard MRCC (MBI) despite extremely bad weather with high swell and lashing rains and once again proving therole of Indian Coast Guard as saviours at sea.

5.    Presently, specialised pollution Control vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari and CG aircraft has been deployed to monitor the stranded vessel.