May 23, 2007 (FIDSNS)

At about 1030 hrs on 04 May 07 Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Sub Centre at Kochi, received information from MV Morning Rose regarding sighting of one life boat with seven persons onboard in position about 15 nautical miles North East of Androth Island (Lakshadweep Island). The survivors belonged to dhow Sayed Malik Dinar which reportedly sank while on passage from New Mangalore to Kalpeni Island and was adrift for four days. Maritime Rescue Sub Centre at Kochi requested MV Morning Rose to pick up the survivors and proceed to Androth Island for transferring the crew to Lakshadweep Administration.

MV Morning Rose approached the life boat and provided food and water to the survivors. However, the ship declined to pick up survivors on the grounds of health contamination onboard. Therefore, a tug was arranged through Lakshadweep Administration to launch rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the vessel was also requested to remain in area till arrival of Tug. Tug MV Kiltan sailed from Kiltan Harbour at 1130 hrs on 04 May 07 for rescue assistance. Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also launched at about 1230 hrs on 04 May 07 from Kochi to coordinate rescue efforts. The Tug arrived the area at about 1245 hrs on 04 May 2007 and all the seven survivors were taken onboard. The survivors were brought to Androth Island at about 1510 hrs on 04 May 07 and were handed over to Lakshadweep administration.

On 27 Apr 07, ICG Ship (ICGS) Kasturba Gandhi had assisted in location of fishing trawler Valacani Star missing since 25 Apr 07. The vessel was adrift due to loss of propeller and total power failure onboard. The crew was provided with food and water. The vessel was thereafter towed to New Mangalore PM 27 Apr 07.

ICG also evacuated medically ill crew of MV Hua Yun and injured crew of MV Agios Raphael this month. ICGS Meera Behn and ICGS C-136 aided the MV Agios Raphael evacuation on a request from M/S Tarus Shipping Pvt Ltd, Kandla.

73 coastal state police stations will soon be set up with the help of Indian Coast Guard. India’s 10 coastal states are setting up marine police stations under the government’s Coastal Security Scheme.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Aviation clebrated its Silver Jubilee at Daman on May 22, 2007.