The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), on Monday, rescued 11 crew members of a cargo ship, MV ITT Puma, which sank about 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island in Ganges delta, West Bengal, in a daring night-time search and rescue operation. The Mumbai-registered general cargo vessel was on its way to Port Blair from Kolkata when it sank due to inclement weather.
The Maritime Search & Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai initially received a distress signal from the vessel. Following this, the ICG’s Regional Headquarters (North East) in Kolkata mobilised two ICG vessels and a Dornier aircraft to the site.
The Dornier aircraft, which is equipped with advanced night-capable sensors detected adrift life rafts and sighted survival red flares from the crew.
Guided by the aircraft, the ICG ship reached the coordinates where two life rafts were found tied together, housing the survivors.
The ICG ships Sarang and Amogh, alongside the Dornier aircraft, conducted a coordinated sea-air rescue, bringing the crew members to safety.
@IndiaCoastGuard Dornier aircraft detected #IFB Angel adrift due to engine defect, about 70 km southeast of #Diu on the evening of 23 Aug 24. Information relayed to #ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Sub Centre #MRCSC at #Pipavav. #ICG Ship Rajratan diverted to assist the… pic.twitter.com/3mzV3G2zcF
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) August 25, 2024
"In an unprecedented night operation, Coast Guard personnel rescued 11 persons in a sea-air coordinated operation. MV ITT PUMA sunk, 70 nm south of Sagar Island," a Coast Guard spokesperson said.
"Information was received by Coast Guard Haldia from Sagar VTS (Vessel Tracking System) yesterday. Coast Guard Dornier aircraft located it at 9:30 pm and ICG ships Sarang and Amogh reached position at 9:45 pm and commenced search and rescue mission," the spokesperson said.
