Posted on June 6, 2017
By Belinda Weber, iStreet Research
The Karnataka Coast Guard had first received a phone call around 4.45 pm from the New Mangalore Port Trust regarding flooding in the barge.
After nightlong suspense, 23 members stuck on a stricken dredger in the Arabian Sea were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Coastal Security Police on Sunday morning.
On a directive from the chief minister, Khader said the government had ensured rescue copters and ships of Coast Guard were on standby to handle any scenario. The rescue vessel arrived at the site of the accident was lowered her rubber boat, succeeding to rescue four sailors from the sinking dredging barge Ibis. The Barge Ibis, a 2964 GRT vessel with a length of 65.58 metre and breadth of 32 metres, with 27 crew, was engaged in operations to prevent sea erosion, south of Old Port Mangalore. “Reacting swiftly, Indian Coast Guard ship which was patrolling off Karnataka coast diverted to save precious life”, a Coast Guard statement said. Despite bad weather, they managed to rescue four workers.
As there were boulders and reef near the barge and the sea was rough, even the dinghy could not move closer to the barge.
There are no reports about injuries and water pollution, but exact assessment will be done after completion of rescue operations. The operation had to be put on halt during Saturday night due to strong winds and heavy swell in the region.
On Sunday, Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft, ACV H-196 was deployed for assistance.
Source: iStreet Research
