Date:12/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081258980400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

17-member crew of research vessel rescued

Santosh Patnaik

Coast Guard Varad-40 veers the CIFNET ship drifting in the sea to safety

– Photos :K. R. Deepak

Heroic act: CIFNET employees thanking Captain Mukesh Purohit of Coast Guard Ship Varad-40 on arrival. (Right) Capt. Purohit explaining the rescue operations to CIFNET in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: After giving up all hope of survival, the crew of a research vessel that was adrift in the sea danced with joy and jubilation when the Coast Guard rescued them and veered them ashore to safety on Monday.

The vessel, which belonged to the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training Institute (CIFNET) was drifting in the sea following engine failure. “We had no hope of survival as huge waves were threatening to engulf our vessel. We had no sleep, no food for three days and each one of the 17-member crew prayed to the Almighty to save us,” K.R. Prakasan, captain of Skipper-III, told The Hindu.

Call to rescue

On receiving a distress call, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad-40 with a 64-member crew rushed into rescue operation. After a prolonged struggle, they tried to tow the ill-fated ship and rescue the employees. “Though we are associated with several rescue operations, this was the first time that we found the sea so rough. Towing became a Herculean task,” ICGS Varad-40 Captain Mukesh Purohit said.

While the waves were of five to six metres high, the wind was blowing at 15 nautical miles per hour. “Though helicopters were kept as standby, they could not be deployed due to the stormy weather,” he said.

“The situation was such that we were unable to stand on the deck. Everyone was shaking due to menacing lashing of the waves. I still have the feeling of rocking on the ship,” he disclosed giving his staff full marks for keeping the engine and power supply intact during the entire operation.

Third attempt

ICGS Varad-40 reached on Sunday morning and established the tow in the third attempt in five hours. During towing, holes developed in the engine room of the vessel.

After shifting them to ICGS Varad-40, the rope of Skipper III was released on Sunday and brought back to the city. Later, another ship, ICGS Vivek left for Kakinada on Monday to make an attempt to save Skipper-III from sinking.