Indian Coast Guard rescues 11 in a sea-air operation after merchant ship en route from Kolkata to Port Blair sinks

In a coordinated sea-air Search and Rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard on Sunday night rescued 11 people from a sinking merchant vessel en route from Kolkata to Port Blair, officials said.

The Coast Guard ships Sarang and Amogh, supported by a Dornier aircraft undertook the operation in extremely inclement sea conditions.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, the merchant vessel, ITT Puma sank 90 nautical miles (nm) south of Sagar Island. The ship was heading to Port Blair from Kolkata.

“The Indian Coast Guard conducted an unprecedented swift night operation, rescuing 11 precious lives in a coordinated sea-air Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. MV ITT PUMA reportedly sank 90 nautical miles (nm) south of Sagar Island, while on passage from Kolkata to Port Blair. Indian Coast Guard ships Sarang and Amogh, along with a CG Dornier aircraft, undertook this operation in extremely inclement sea conditions,” ICG stated in a post on X.

Earlier on August 24, the Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft detected IFB Angel adrift due to an engine defect, about 70 km southeast of Diu on the evening of August 24. The information was relayed to the ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Sub Centre (MRCSC) at Pipavav. ICG Ship Rajratan was diverted to assist the distressed IFB with 09 crew amid rough seas. The boat was safely towed to Jafarabad.

On August 18, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly constructed state-of-the-art Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

He also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre, located at the Chennai Port premises, and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry.

The buildings have been established to ensure robust maritime security and provide efficient responses to emergencies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection. This state-of-the-art facility aims to significantly enhance the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations for mariners & fishermen in distress at sea.

It underscores the Government’s resolve to protect lives and ensure a swift response in critical situations, added the statement. The Centre is installed with the latest equipment for distress monitoring through terrestrial & satellite systems and equipped with advanced communication systems for real-time management of alerts by highly-trained personnel of ICG specialising in Search & Rescue procedures, with the rescue aircraft, ships and other facilities.